TESI’s impact on the educational landscape has been profound and multifaceted. Here are the key areas where our initiative has made a significant difference:

Student Engagement and Participation

A growing number of students have been expressing their interest in participating in the TESI initiative. This high level of interest underscores the urgent need for educational support and the initiative’s potential to reach a significant number of students.

Educational Continuity

The initiative has already commenced its first phase, led by An-Najah National University, involving around 1,650 students. This phase ensures that students can continue their education despite the crisis in Gaza, providing them with accredited courses and resources without financial burden.

Global Collaboration

TESI fosters international collaboration. This global effort enhances the educational infrastructure in Gaza and provides students with diverse learning opportunities and resources. By partnering with universities and educational institutions worldwide, we are creating a network of support that transcends borders.

Virtual Learning and Support

The initiative leverages virtual classrooms, online learning platforms, offline materials, and open and shared resources to provide continuous education. This approach not only meets the immediate educational needs of students but also builds a resilient and adaptable educational system for the future.

Psychological and Academic Support

TESI includes comprehensive psychological support services tailored to the needs of students in war-affected areas. This support is crucial for the mental well-being and academic performance of both students and professors involved in the initiative. We understand that emotional and psychological health is key to effective learning.

Capacity Building and Training

The initiative offers a comprehensive training program for volunteer professors and experts, equipping them with the necessary skills to deliver effective online courses. This capacity-building effort ensures that the educational support provided is of high quality and relevant to the students' context.

Sustainability and Expansion

TESI focuses on fundraising and establishing partnerships to sustain and expand its reach. By securing ongoing support, we aim to continue making a significant impact on the education system in Gaza and beyond. Furthermore, TESI can be a model to adapt, expand, and apply in various areas of conflict and times of emergencies, including pandemics or natural disasters, where obstacles and restrictions to higher education may arise.

Background and Objectives

• The Technical Education Support for Higher Education Students Initiative (TESI) was launched by An-Najah National University in collaboration with the Mediterranean Universities Union (UNIMED) in February 2024.
• The initiative aims to provide alternative educational solutions for displaced students in Gaza who have lost access to higher education due to the destruction of over 70% of educational institutions.
• TESI allows Gazan students to continue their higher education online as visiting students, free of charge.

Key Achievements

• Overwhelming Response: Approximately 49,600 students expressed interest in joining TESI, indicating the urgent need for the initiative.
• Initial Phases: In the first phase (early 2024), over 2,100 students formally registered at An-Najah University for online tuition. Across the first three phases (February to summer 2024), 5,107 students registered and 1,963 (38%) successfully completed their assignments despite the conflict.
• Free and Accredited Education: The initiative is entirely free of charge and relies on volunteer contributions. Students are officially recognized as visiting students at participating universities worldwide.
• Digital Education Enhancement: The initiative leverages An-Najah National University's extensive experience in online and hybrid education. The fully equipped TESI Studio was launched to enhance digital learning.
• Long-Term Academic Collaboration: TESI fosters long-term academic collaboration between Gazan universities and global institutions, contributing to the rebuilding of Gaza's education sector.

Challenges

• Difficulty in coordination and meeting student needs with university capacities.
• Internet connectivity challenges in Gaza (expensive and risky).
• Need for more funding to support a larger number of students.

Future Plans

• Expand TESI to include more online courses and virtual labs.
• Discussions with UNESCO to launch an initiative to improve digital infrastructure in Gaza.
• Launch a pilot initiative under the Horizon Europe program to support Gazan researchers and reconnect them with the international research community.