Building Higher Education Links
The Friends of Palestinian Universities Annual Conference is a landmark international gathering dedicated to advancing understanding of Palestinian higher education and strengthening global academic partnerships. Established in 2023, the conference brings together leading scholars, educators, and representatives from universities in Palestine, the UK, and beyond to share knowledge, build connections, and develop collaborative initiatives.
Organised in collaboration with Palestinian and international centres of learning, the conference provides a vital platform to explore opportunities for partnership, address barriers to academic cooperation, and advocate for the resilience and renewal of Palestinian higher education.
Emergency Support for Palestinian Higher Education: The Role of the International Academic Community
Date: 27th June, 2025
Location: SOAS, University of London
Sponsors: Al-Azhar University – Gaza | Islamic University of Gaza | Al Aqsa University | Oxford University, Department of International Development | SOAS Centre for Palestine Studies | University and College Union (UCU) | Galilee Foundation | Independent Social Research Foundation (ISRF)
Friends of Palestinian Universities (formerly Fobzu), Emergency Support for Palestinian Higher Education: The Role of the International Academic Community, was held on 27 June at SOAS University of London at a moment of urgent crisis. The event brought together scholars, university leaders, civil society organisations, and policy experts to confront the ongoing scholasticide in Gaza and discuss the role of international academic solidarity. The conference affirmed the leadership and centrality of Palestinian academics as equal partners in the struggle to sustain and rebuild higher education, and called for coordinated, justice-based partnerships between UK and Palestinian universities. It also highlighted the complicity of UK and European institutions in the destruction of Palestinian academic life, underscoring the urgent need for redress and material solidarity.
As part of our response, Friends of Palestinian Universities continues to facilitate the work of the Emergency Committee of Universities in Gaza—the formally mandated body representing the Strip’s three non-profit public universities, which together serve over 80% of Gaza’s students—by amplifying the collective voice of its academic leadership, supporting the launch of Isnad programme, and promoting meaningful international collaboration.
Past Conferences
2024: Emergency Support for Palestinian Higher Education
Held in June 2024, the conference addressed the unprecedented destruction of Palestinian universities due to the ongoing war. Gaza university representatives shared testimonies on the devastation, highlighting the loss of faculty, students, and infrastructure. The event focused on mobilizing emergency support, establishing scholarships, and strengthening UK-Palestinian institutional partnerships. Key discussions also included the role of the Emergency Committee of Universities in Gaza in coordinating international aid. The conference concluded with a call to action for UK universities to directly support Palestinian higher education institutions. Read the full report here.
2023: Overcoming Barriers, Building Links
Held in March 2023, this inaugural conference explored practical ways to strengthen academic links between the UK and Palestine. It brought together scholars, students, and administrators to discuss challenges such as access restrictions, research collaborations, and institutional support. The discussions culminated in a summary report aimed at providing UK-based academics and institutions with actionable insights for engagement. Read the summary report here.
