Oxford, UK – Malala Yousafzai, who won the Nobel Peace Prize, is introducing a scholarship fund that will help Palestinians on their academic journey across the world. She further said that these students need more funds to be able to study at higher levels since most of the schools in Gaza have been damaged by conflict. This fundraising event took place at the Oxford Pakistan Programme dinner, where she was giving an address as the key speaker.
To make sure the Palestinian scholars from the area lacking financial resources can access first-rate education, the sponsorship forms part of UO’s Refugee Academic Futures Program. She described it as imperative while noting that all the colleges and 80% of schools within this region had been affected lately due to wars or violence. “The infrastructure for learning in Gaza has experienced ruin,” Malala explained, thus emphasizing the urgency with which such an intervention should take place.
In addition to being given money for tuition fees, it also shows empathy with young people who have missed out on a lot because of interrupted schooling systems brought about by wars, among other things, come October 2024, when they will be admitted into Lady Margaret Hall College-Oxford University’s 2024 calendar academic year. Accordingly, the successful candidate becomes part of a community where resilience is championed and optimism is never lost, even when things are tough.
She also took time during this speech to highlight some wider-reaching efforts made by various organizations, including hers, towards Palestine, such as granting over three hundred thousand dollars intended for Palestinian-led groups plus humanitarian causes, which were part of emergency relief aid. Apart from being known for primarily promoting girl child education, she also addressed issues that affect all young people, especially those facing difficult circumstances, hence her insistence on the continuance of academic pursuit even in the harshest conditions possible. Complementing scholarships is an access programme specific to Palestinians who want or are planning to study abroad, particularly within UK and US universities, while at the same time providing them with the necessary information and guidance required throughout the application process, thus enabling their empowerment so they can become influential voices in the future.
Ever since she made the announcement, there has been widespread acclaim given to her for what many consider a message indicating light amidst ongoing dark moments experienced by Palestinians within that part of the world and beyond. This goes far beyond mere words, however, since it demonstrates not only unwavering commitment towards education itself but, more importantly, belief in the transformative capability possessed by youth globally towards effecting positive changes.
