Malala announces scholarship for Palestinian students at Oxford University.
Malala Yousafzai, the youngest Nobel laureate, recently announced a new scholarship initiative to support Palestinian students at the University of Oxford.
This announcement was made during her keynote address at the Oxford Pakistan Programme (OPP) fundraiser dinner.
The scholarship is part of Oxford’s Refugee Academic Futures Programme and aims to remove financial barriers that prevent Palestinian students from accessing the university’s prestigious education.
In her speech, Malala stressed the severe impact of the recent Gaza conflict on education, noting that more than 80% of Gaza’s schools and all its universities have been damaged or destroyed.
There can be no future for Gaza if its children have no place to live and learn safely. Today, more than 80% of Gaza’s schools and all universities have been damaged or destroyed.
— Malala Yousafzai (@Malala) May 31, 2024
She highlighted the urgent need for a lasting ceasefire and long-term investment in Gaza’s education system, while also emphasizing the immediate necessity to support students through scholarships and other forms of aid.
Malala stated, “This initiative is about centring and supporting young Palestinians whose voices will continue to resonate across the globe.”
She highlighted that the scholarship is not just financial aid but a symbol of solidarity with the Palestinian people.
The first recipient of this scholarship is set to start their studies at Lady Margaret Hall, University of Oxford, in October 2024.
Additionally, Oxford University plans to enhance its support for Palestinian students through a dedicated access program that will assist them with the application process for universities in the UK and the US.
Malala also mentioned that the Malala Fund has committed $300,000 in emergency funding to Palestinian-led organizations and humanitarian efforts.
While the Malala Fund primarily advocates for girls’ education, it also allocates resources for emergency relief during crises that disrupt educational opportunities.
As a distinguished alumna of Lady Margaret Hall, Malala has been a steadfast supporter of the OPP initiative.
She has previously established two scholarships for Pakistani female students at Oxford, furthering her mission to promote leadership and academic excellence.
