AN aspiring student from Gaza is trying to raise enough money to take her place at Glasgow University after being displaced repeatedly through the genocide.
Toqa Qudaih, 20, has accepted an unconditional offer to study biochemistry at the institution but said she lacks the funds to get a student visa and take up her studies in Scotland.
She told how she was forced to move repeatedly as Israel bombarded the Palestinian territory, while cutting off essentials and restricting vital aid deliveries, which led to famine.
Speaking over the phone from Gaza, she told how her family had been “displaced five or six times” since the beginning of the genocide in 2023, when she had to “flee” the small village where she grew up.
Originally from Khuza'a, near the Israeli border, Qudaih and her family were forced to move to Rafah – which has now been razed to the ground and depopulated almost completely by Israel.
She said the family have ended up living in a tent near the beach in Al Mawasi, on the Mediterranean coast.
Disruption to her education and “studying in very hard conditions” meant she only finished her final exams in September last year, the results of which she used to obtain the unconditional offer from Glasgow University.
But Qudaih also faced difficulties in applying for the course through Ucas because of the unreliable internet connection in Gaza.
She said: “Imagine you had to flee your home that you’d been living in for 17 years; that’s very hard to do.”
Over email, the aspiring scientist added: “Science and education have always been my sanctuary.
“My dream is to contribute to research that saves lives, and being accepted into Glasgow represents a lifeline, a second chance to learn in safety and build a future.”
The acceptance letter that Qudaih shared with the Sunday National suggests her course at the ancient institution will cost her £33,210 in tuition fees annually for the next four years.
The university has given her a £10,000 tuition fee scholarship, Qudaih said, meaning there is still a significant shortfall to cover her enrolment.
At time of writing, her online fundraiser has raised just €50 out of a target of €50,000 since it was set up at the end of July.
That amount is to cover the costs of accommodation, food, travel, and daily living expenses for the next four years.
People on student visas are only allowed to work for 20 hours per week during term time, which, at an hourly rate of £10.85 for the minimum age for people under 21, means Qudaih could only earn around £217 a week if she got a job in her first year.
Qudaih has until October 31 to get on a Glasgow University list to be submitted to the UK Government for students to be eligible for evacuation from Gaza.
If there are delays to her making it to Britain, there is an extended enrolment deadline for students of December 31.
To be able to qualify for the UK Government’s scheme to be evacuated from Gaza to take her studies in Britain, applicants must be over the age of 18, meet immigration rules, have an offer and be “supported by a fully funded and verified scholarship” which covers both course fees and living costs.
Even if these hurdles are cleared, would-be scholars are warned that the UK Government cannot guarantee their passage to Britain.
The UK Government’s website said: “The delivery of this support is reliant on several factors that are outside of HM Government’s control, including co-ordination with international partners. Exit from Gaza for dependants of students eligible under the Immigration Rules can only be implemented in co-ordination with international partners on a case-by-case basis.
“While HM Government’s support will be offered to all eligible students and their eligible dependants, their journey out of Gaza and onward travel to the UK cannot be guaranteed, and timelines remain uncertain. There also may be practical and safeguarding impediments for any child dependant to travel, where not accompanied by a parent.”
You can find out more about Toqa Qudaih and donate here.
