"I PLAN to rebuild Gaza."
This is the dream of 20-year-old Mohammad Ayyad, a Gazan student who is hoping to come to Scotland to attend university.
He has received an unconditional offer to study a BSc in Artificial Intelligence at Glasgow University, a subject he believes can be used to help Palestinians in the wake of the Israeli genocide.
"I plan to use AI tools to rebuild education in Gaza, and in any conflict zone," Ayyad told The National from a makeshift workspace in the Al-Rimal area of Gaza City.
Ayyad's family – his mother, father, and five other siblings – have been displaced, and the shelter they are staying in does not have access to internet or electricity.
"I come here every day," Ayyad said. "I need the internet to finish my homework, to study, to develop myself, and to improve my English skills."
Last year, a United Nations (UN) inquiry determined that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza.
Yet despite the ongoing genocide, which completely destroyed the university where Ayyad was studying, he has remained determined to continue his studies online.
In order to progress further, Ayyad said he needs the "practical experience" which is offered in labs at universities such as Glasgow.
But he has so far been unable to find a way out of Gaza – and was unsuccessful in being awarded the scholarship he said would enable him to get there.
The University of Glasgow offers the Dima Alhaj Scholarship for Palestinian students, which waives tuition fees and provides a £9010 stipend per year.
However, only two students are accepted each year, and demand is incredibly high.
This means Ayyad needs to fund his tuition, which comes to £33,210, as well as raising additional money for living and travel costs.
"I won't give up, I will keep going to find another way," Ayyad said.
"After years of studying through war, displacement, and unimaginable challenges, I earned this place through hard work and determination."
The 20-year-old has now launched a fundraiser, and with just 27 days to go until his course is due to start on September 14, he has issued a plea to those who may be able to help.
"Education is a human right," he said.
"Everyone must reach his dreams and his goals and complete his vision.
"Glasgow did it before for Gazan students. I need the same opportunity to complete my university [career] to build a new future for myself and then rebuild Gaza again."
Ayyad has also started a petition calling on the University of Glasgow to waive his tuition fees.
A University of Glasgow spokesperson said: "As a University of Sanctuary, we are committed to ensuring that anyone from anywhere in the world with the drive, determination and ambition to pursue a degree has the opportunity to do so.
"We welcome the UK Government's decision to extend the Gaza Evacuation Scheme for 2026–27 and will continue to work with government and relevant agencies to support implementation of the scheme and the evacuation of those who meet the eligibility criteria.”
