ISLAMABAD ( WNAM REPORT )l The Coordinator General OIC-COMSTECH, H.E. Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, held a high-level virtual meeting with the presidents of all major universities in Gaza to coordinate a collective humanitarian and academic response to the catastrophic impact of the ongoing war on the higher education sector in the region.
In a heartfelt message of solidarity, Prof. Choudhary conveyed his deep concern for the plight of the Palestinian people, particularly academics, students, and researchers enduring the relentless devastation. “The suffering of the people of Gaza is unbearable, yet their resilience is inspiring,” he remarked, reaffirming COMSTECH’s commitment to supporting Gaza’s academic institutions during this crisis.
During the meeting, the Coordinator General extended a formal invitation to Gaza’s university presidents currently outside the region to visit Islamabad. The visit aims to foster direct dialogue with key stakeholders and explore collaborative solutions to sustain academic continuity under these extraordinary circumstances.
Highlighting COMSTECH’s active support for the Palestinian academic community, Prof. Choudhary shared updates on ongoing programs, including operations through its representative office in Jordan and the provision of 5,000 scholarships and fellowships dedicated to Palestinian students and researchers.
Speaking on behalf of Palestinan university leadership, Professor Omar Milad, President of Al-Azhar University in Gaza, expressed deep gratitude for COMSTECH’s sincere efforts. He described the meeting as “a meaningful gesture of solidarity and a lifeline for Gaza’s academic future,” and lauded the generous 5000 scholarship/fellowship initiative by the OIC-COMSTECH, as a critical step in rebuilding the higher education sector in Palestine.
The meeting included a comprehensive presentation from Gaza’s university representatives, outlining urgent institutional needs. Key proposals included facilitating medical training for displaced students, capacity-building for health professionals, access to scientific publishing, and supporting research on the psychological impact of war, especially among children. Participants also emphasized the immediate need for virtual learning platforms and remote laboratory facilities as many university campuses have been destroyed.
Senior officials from COMSTECH also participated in the meeting, reaffirming the organization’s unwavering commitment to educational resilience and academic recovery in Gaza.
