PENANG, 22 August 2014 - Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is committed to continuing to assist the Islamic University of Gaza (IUG) which suffered massive destruction during the recent Israeli airstrikes.

USM Vice-Chancellor Professor Dato’ Dr. Omar Osman said USM will do whatever it can, especially in ensuring that the Palestinian students in IUG can continue their education and that IUG can be rebuilt after suffering major destruction, especially when buildings were destroyed in the Israeli attacks recently with an estimated loss of more than USD1.5 million. 

"We will continue to do what we have done before, including setting up a special fund for USM community to contribute towards helping to fund the education of Palestinian students at IUG," Omar said when he was visited by the Foreign Affairs Coordinator for IUG South-East Asia Region, Dr. Wesam A. Al Madhoun. 

Wesam, a USM alumnus, is in Malaysia to meet with various parties, including those who have pledged their support to help IUG and its students. 

USM signed a memorandum of understanding with IUG on 4 December 2012 to collaborate in the development of academic and research at IUG which allowed USM to offer its expertise to help in the temporary recovery plan of the Palestinians through IUG. 

"We need to plan and develop appropriate long-term programmes to make the relationship between the two universities more meaningful and at the same time allow us to collaborate in the education process of Palestinian children on an ongoing basis," said Omar, who also presented donations collected from USM staff members since last Ramadan. 

USM will continue to encourage its community especially the students to donate money to help cover the study cost of Palestinian children who have difficulty continuing their education due to the Israeli attacks, including the destruction of homes and property. 

Relating the effects of the attacks, Wesam said: “many Palestinian university students lost their homes and families, and were displaced, injured and psychologically affected by the Israeli attacks.”

“In spite of that, they still aspire to continue their higher education and achieve their ambitions for better life and future. Hence our main concern now is how to help rebuild IUG and how to support the needy students to enable them continuing their education in IUG and other institutions of higher learning in Gaza,” said Wesam.

He added that he will continue to work hard to raise funds to help the students, especially to pay their tuition fees since IUG is not able to provide free education as they rely fully on student fees to run the University.

IUG has about 20,000 students, including about 4,000 postgraduates and most of them are unable to pay the fees. Even the academic staffs are subjected to monthly salary cut of 30-50% over the past few months.

"The important thing is to make sure they can continue their education and achieve their dreams, especially in redeveloping their homeland for the future," said Wesam.

Also present was the Treasurer of Persatuan Muafakat Kesejahteraan Rakyat (PERMUAFAKAT) Dr. Mazzan Md. Isa. The voluntary organization was established in 2010 to mobilize volunteers to assist in the health and welfare activities of the community and also to be involved in humanitarian work among the Palestinians in Gaza and the Rohingyas.

Translation: Tan Ewe Hoe/Text: Mohamad Abdullah​