Late Night Live - Separate stories podcast The destruction of universities in Gaza
May 7, 2025
Mona Jebril, a Research Associate at Cambridge and former lecturer in Gaza, joins Wesam Amer, Dean at Gaza University and visiting researcher, to discuss the catastrophic effects of conflict on education in Gaza. They explore how the bombardment has left universities in ruins and prevented thousands from pursuing their studies. They share heartbreaking stories of lost colleagues and the struggle to maintain academic integrity amidst chaos. Jebril and Amer emphasize the critical need for international support to preserve education in this war-torn region.
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Universities Destroyed in Gaza
- Israeli forces destroyed or heavily damaged all universities in Gaza by targeting them during the war.
- These damages have rendered university campuses unsafe and unable to operate even after the conflict.
Teaching Under Siege
- Mona Jebril described daily academic life under extreme conditions like power cuts and bombardments.
- She struggled to prepare lessons at night and faced unpredictable electricity during classes in Gaza.
Gaza Universities Maintain Independence
- Gaza universities maintain academic independence despite political pressures in the region.
- They focus on quality research and international partnerships beyond factional affiliations.