Cambridge scholars launch mentorship scheme for Palestinian students seeking university admissions
A group of scholars in Cambridge has launched a mentorship initiative to help Palestinian students in Gaza apply to universities
CAMBRIDGE (MNTV) – A group of scholars in Cambridge has launched a mentorship initiative to help Palestinian students in Gaza apply to universities in the United Kingdom.
The program, spearheaded by the Gates Against Genocide scholars group at the University of Cambridge, aims to provide tailored support for students navigating the competitive and often complex admissions process.
According to the organizers, the scheme has already received more than 700 applications from Gaza-based students within a short period.
Many of these applicants face severe barriers to higher education, including limited access to resources, academic advising, and international opportunities due to the ongoing Israeli genocide and destruction of Gaza’s infrastructure.
Organisers say the drive responds to the near-collapse of Gaza’s higher education sector during the current war. Israeli strikes have destroyed or severely damaged multiple universities, including the Islamic University of Gaza and Al-Azhar University.
Education experts have described the scale of destruction as “scholasticide” or “epistemicide,” arguing that it targets not only buildings but the broader infrastructure of knowledge, from libraries and laboratories to faculty and students.
The loss has disrupted academic futures for tens of thousands of young people, with many campuses rendered completely inoperable. Nearly all higher education facilities require major repair or rebuilding, leaving many students with no viable local path to continue their studies.
The mentorship scheme is intended to bridge that gap, offering guidance and opportunities that can be pursued from abroad.
The mentorship program is open to volunteers worldwide, not just those affiliated with Cambridge.
Mentors will work with individual students online, offering guidance on preparing university applications, crafting personal statements, selecting suitable courses, and navigating scholarship opportunities.
Communication can be arranged through platforms such as WhatsApp, email, or other mutually convenient channels, with the frequency of sessions decided by both the mentor and the student.
Participants will receive support from a team of coordinators throughout the mentorship process. These coordinators will offer advice, share best practices, and provide feedback to ensure that mentors can assist students effectively.
Organizers say the initiative is part of a broader effort to ensure that young people in Gaza, many of whom have seen their education disrupted by war and displacement, are not denied the chance to pursue their academic goals.
“This is about more than just university admissions — it’s about giving Palestinian students the tools and support they need to imagine and work towards a future beyond the siege,” the group said in its outreach message to potential mentors.
The Cambridge group’s outreach also comes at a time when universities in the U.K., the US, and other countries have been criticised for cracking down on student activism over Gaza. Many students and staff have faced disciplinary measures, police interventions, or other reprisals for campus protests. Rights groups have warned that such actions risk silencing legitimate dissent and curbing academic freedom.
The Gates Against Genocide group is now urging academics, professionals, and anyone with experience in higher education applications to volunteer their time.
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