An Interview with Dr. Omar Melad, President of Al Azhar University, Gaza
As faculty at Gaza’s universities work to sustain education in the face of unprecedented challenges, this new series, Our Universities Live On, features stories directly from academics and students on the frontlines of scholasticide. It highlights the resilience, leadership, and vision of university leaders, students, and faculty.
The series begins with an interview with the President of Al Azhar University in Gaza, Dr Omar Melad, who discusses with us the university’s history, its response to the scholasticide, and its unwavering commitment to education amidst the systematic destruction of the education sector in Gaza.
Al Azhar University is more than just an institution; it stands as a beacon of resilience and hope for the Palestinian people. We create opportunities for individuals from all walks of life, shaping the next generation of leaders, doctors, engineers, and educators. Despite the devastation, we remain unwavering in our mission to serve our community and uphold the values of education and justice.”
– Dr. Omar Melad, President of Al Azhar University, Gaza, in an interview with Fobzu.
Background
Al Azhar University in Gaza, is one of the three largest and oldest public universities in Gaza and a founding member of the Emergency Committee of Universities in Gaza. In October and November 2023, the university suffered catastrophic damage due to Israeli airstrikes. The main campus and the branch in Al-Maghraqa, were heavily affected, with several buildings completely destroyed. Other sites, including the Haider Abdel Shafi Medical School and the university farm, also faced severe losses. According to the university administration, the total estimated damage exceeds $221 million, reflecting the immense impact on a key pillar of Gaza’s higher education infrastructure.
Q: Dr. Melad, your journey in higher education is remarkable, spanning decades as an academic and administrator. Could you share your personal trajectory leading up to your current role as President of Al Azhar University?
Dr Melad: I was born in Gaza City in 1966 and completed my early education there, graduating from high school in 1983. I pursued my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Chemistry at the Middle East Technical University (METU) in Turkey. After completing my master’s in 1993, I returned to Gaza and joined Al Azhar University as a lecturer in the Chemistry Department. In 1996, I was awarded a scholarship from the Ministry of Higher Education to pursue my Ph.D. in Polymer Chemistry, which I completed in 1999 at the University of Valencia, Spain.
Returning to Al Azhar University, I worked as an assistant professor and steadily advanced through academic ranks. In 2016, I achieved the status of full professor. Administratively, I served as Head of the Chemistry Department, Dean of the Faculty of Science, Dean of Admissions and Registration, and Vice President for Academic Affairs before being appointed President of the University on September 1, 2021. Throughout my career, I have published extensively in both regional and international scientific journals, contributing to the field of Chemistry while remaining dedicated to the academic and administrative advancement of Al Azhar University.
Q: Al Azhar University is one of the three major public universities in Gaza. Could you speak about its history and evolution into the institution it is today?
Dr Melad: Al Azhar University was established in 1991 by decree of the late President Yasser Arafat and the Palestine Liberation Organisation, with the aim of providing national higher education to all segments of Palestinian society. The university began modestly, with two faculties—Education and Law—operating out of just two rooms. Over time, it has evolved into one of Palestine’s leading institutions of higher education..
Today, Al Azhar University comprises 12 faculties offering 121 accredited programs, including 80 bachelor’s degrees, 36 master’s degrees, and five PhD programs. The university operates across three campuses in Gaza City: the Eastern Campus, which houses science and technology faculties; the Western Campus, home to medical and economic faculties; and the newly constructed Southern Campus, featuring state-of-the-art facilities and serving students in law, humanities, agriculture, and veterinary sciences. Despite continuous attempts to undermine its mission, Al Azhar University remains a bastion of resilience and academic excellence.
Q: Before the latest war began in October 2023, Al Azhar University had ambitious plans for the academic year. How have these aspirations been affected by the destruction of university facilities and the loss of students and staff?
Dr Melad: When I assumed leadership, I prioritised enhancing the university’s academic reputation through the introduction of new programs and international collaborations. We forged partnerships with institutions across the UK, Europe, and beyond, introduced unique programs such as doctoral degrees in law—the first in Gaza—and maintained our pioneering faculties in medicine, pharmacy, and veterinary science.
However, the impact of the scholasticide since October 2023 has been catastrophic. Entire campuses have been destroyed, including our Southern Campus, which housed some of Gaza’s most advanced facilities. Many of the university’s resources have been decimated, and the future of our 15,000 students and 600 staff members remains uncertain. Nevertheless, we are determined to rebuild. In June 2024, we launched emergency e-learning initiatives, enabling students to resume their studies in the face of unprecedented challenges. Despite the loss of critical infrastructure and the destruction of our buildings, we remain unwavering in our commitmentto our academic mission and to supporting our students.
Q: Al Azhar University was the first university in Gaza to resume online instruction. What motivated this decision, and how have students and staff responded?
Dr Melad: We believe that education is a form of resistance. Resuming classes, even electronically, allows us to preserve a sense of normalcy and hope. Despite the immense challenges—including displacement, internet restrictions, and ongoing violence—our students and staff have demonstrated remarkable determination. Many attend lectures from displacement camps, symbolising the indomitable spirit of the Palestinian people.
Master’s theses are being defended in makeshift settings, and exams are being conducted under the most challenging conditions. This resilience underscores our belief that education is a human right and a tool for liberation. In January 2025, we aim to complete the 2023–24 academic year, despite the challenges, and begin the new academic year shortly thereafter.
There has been a long-standing collaboration between the international academic community and Palestinian higher education. How have you engaged with this community, and how can these partnerships help address the ongoing scholasticide?
Dr Melad: Over the years, partnerships with international universities and research centers have been invaluable, enabling student exchanges, collaborative research, and the sharing of knowledge. These collaborations have strengthened our academic foundation, and now, we need this solidarity more than ever. I urge the international academic community to take an active role in addressing these immense challenges.
In May 2024, in collaboration with Palestinian academics and administrators from Gaza universities, a Unified Emergency Statement was issued to reaffirm our collective determination to remain on our land and to resume teaching, learning, and research at our universities as soon as possible. To address the devastating impact of the ongoing scholasticide, we have also developed a phased recovery plan.
The first phase, Immediate Recovery, is taking place during the genocide and focuses on maintaining operational continuity through online education while providing financial aid to students and staff. This has been vital for sustaining learning amid unprecedented challenges. Once the genocide ends, the second phase, Rehabilitation, will involve securing support to repair damaged facilities and restore essential services. Finally, the Reconstruction phase will focus on rebuilding destroyed infrastructure, creating a safe, and conducive environment for learning.
We urgently need your advocacy to call for an immediate end to violence and the protection of educational institutions. Financial support is also crucial to provide scholarships, particularly in critical fields like medicine, where Gaza faces severe shortages. Due to the devastating conditions in the Gaza Strip, Al Azhar University has allowed students to register for exams without paying their fees this year and has provided some compensation to its staff. However, as we rely entirely on student fees to operate, we urgently need support to cover these fees to continue functioning and to compensate our faculty and administrators.
Additionally, I appeal to you to host displaced students as visiting scholars, enabling them to continue their education while we work toward rebuilding. We have already facilitated such opportunities for students evacuated from Gaza in collaboration with various international institutions, including those in South Africa, Norway, Pakistan, Morocco and others. We seek to expand these efforts through your support.
Q: What is your message to the world about Al Azhar University and its role in Palestinian society?
Dr. Melad: Standing against scholasticide in Gaza is not just our responsibility—it is a shared responsibility for anyone who is committed to education. Together, we can ensure the continuity of learning and preserve the academic institutions that are vital to Gaza’s future. I urge you to stand with us in this mission.
Al Azhar University is more than just an institution; it is a symbol of resilience and hope for the Palestinian people. We create opportunities for individuals from all walks of life, nurturing the next generation of leaders, doctors, engineers, and educators. Despite the destruction, we remain steadfast in our mission to serve our community and to uphold the principles of education and justice.
We call on all supporters of human rights and education to stand with us during this critical time. Together, we can rebuild and continue empowering Palestinian society through knowledge and innovation.
