A number of academics from Islamic University of Gaza have been awarded the competitive University of Alberta grant in Canada, designated for Palestinian researchers affected by the war. The recipients are: Professor Dr Bassam Tayeh from the Faculty of Engineering, Dr Bilal Dabour from the Faculty of Medicine, Dr Faten Abu Shauqa and Dr Anas Al-Qanou from the Faculty of Science, and Dr Mahmoud Al-Tarabin from the Faculty of Arts.
The IUG academics were selected from dozens of outstanding applicants, securing five out of the six grants awarded by the University of Alberta. The selection recognizes their distinguished and qualitative academic contributions to their respective fields, as well as their commitment to strengthening Palestine’s presence within international academic circles.
The grant was announced in mid-February 2026 as part of an initiative organized by the University of Alberta to sustain education and scientific research. The university recently launched a virtual residency programme through its Displaced and Affected Palestinian Scientists and Students (DPSS) initiative, specifically tailored for scholars whose academic work has been disrupted by the war on Gaza.
The programme aims to support up to six Palestinian researchers, with each participant receiving a stipend of 2,000 Canadian dollars ($2,000 CAD) to help them continue their research and establish academic ties with the University of Alberta community.
The selected scholars are expected to engage with the academic community at the University of Alberta by showcasing their research at both Canadian and international levels, and by fostering academic and cultural links with Canadian institutions. This will be achieved through a range of activities, including conference presentations, public lectures, roundtable discussions, guest lectures, meetings with students and student bodies, and hosting virtual sessions with academic departments at the University of Alberta. In turn, the University of Alberta will assist the virtual fellows in building academic networks and provide institutional support for hosting and publishing their work.