20 scholarships to students from Masafer Yatta

Birzeit University announces offering twenty new scholarships in efforts to assist students from Masafer Yatta who wish to study at Birzeit University. Five of these are accommodation scholarships for female students.

President Abdullatif Abuhijleh assured that the university is committed to proactively addressing critical issues that inevitably affect the daily lives of the Palestinians who live under the imminent threat of home demolition and expulsion, even though the institution is facing multi-layered challenges due to the current social and economic contexts.

Birzeit University considers its support to Masafer Yatta as part of its national responsibility of providing access to quality education for significant segments of society, Abuhijleh explained. “For youth who are lacking basic life services and infrastructure, all efforts should be made to create a healthy, safe and sound environment,” he added, “allowing them to engage in and celebrate the freedom of thought and expression, have access to quality teaching, and actively contribute to the progress of their society.”

Masafer Yatta was particularly highlighted in a report issued by OCHA in May 2013 as an area where 1,400 inhabitants live in small communities that are scattered across the hills south of Hebron. Part of Area C, it is used for military training by Israeli occupation forces. As a result, the Palestinians who live there are faced with a range of policies and practices that undermine their physical safety, lower their living standards, and increase their poverty levels. More than one thousand Palestinians are at risk of being expelled from their homes and properties.

The scholarships will allow Masafar Yatta students to benefit from Birzeit University’s holistic approach to providing quality education in natural sciences, education, social sciences, and public health, as well as the nutrition and nursing programs.