The Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO) in Catalonia has hosted Ms Amani Al-Maqadma, Head of External Relations at Islamic University of Gaza, for an academic visit. The visit came at the official invitation of Professor María García-Parajo, as part of the institute’s commitment to fostering academic dialogue surrounding higher education in conflict zones.
The invitation followed the publication of a prominent article in the prestigious journal Nature. The piece featured a report co-authored by Ms Al-Maqadma, titled “Resilience in the Rubble: Needs Assessment of Higher Education Institutions in Gaza”, which analysed the status of higher education institutions in the Gaza Strip, their immediate resource requirements, and the structural challenges they face amidst ongoing political and humanitarian conditions.
During her visit, Ms Al-Maqadma delivered two academic presentations. The first was a scientific seminar addressing the needs and challenges of higher education institutions in the Gaza Strip, highlighting successful models of academic initiatives and partnerships that have supported Palestinian universities and sustained the educational process.
The second presentation was tailored to the institute’s postgraduate students, particularly PhD candidates. This session focused on academic life in the Gaza Strip and its historical context, illustrating how the educational system was shaped and developed over decades prior to the current war, under prolonged restrictions that imposed continuous challenges on both students and educational institutions.
The visit also included academic meetings with researchers and doctoral students at the institute to discuss avenues for joint academic cooperation. Discussions centred on student exchange programmes, scholarship provisions, and participation in collaborative research projects aimed at supporting Palestinian students and researchers and enhancing their integration into the international research community.
Additionally, Ms Al-Maqadma was briefed on a solidarity initiative launched by ICFO students to support Palestinian universities in the Gaza Strip; a step reflecting an academic and humanitarian commitment to international scientific responsibility. Throughout the meetings, the institute’s cultural diversity and pioneering leadership in advanced technology fields were prominently highlighted.
In this context, attendees emphasized the vital importance of translating academic solidarity into practical, sustainable measures that support students and educational institutions in the Gaza Strip, while strengthening opportunities for future international academic partnerships.