Malala Yousafzai reiterated her appeals for an early ceasefire, humanitarian help, and a just and enduring peace, underscoring the significance of solidarity with the Palestinian people.
During her keynote speech at the Oxford Pakistan Programme (OPP) Fundraiser Dinner, Malala Yousafzai, the youngest Nobel laureate and co-founder of the Malala Fund, unveiled a new scholarship program to support Palestinian students at the University of Oxford.
Malala Yousafzai, a member of Oxford’s Refugee Academic Futures Programme, emphasised how the Graduate Scholarship for Palestinian Students seeks to remove the financial obstacles that keep Palestinian students from taking use of Oxford’s prestigious educational possibilities.
She emphasized in her speech the terrible effects of the current Gaza conflict on educational possibilities. “All universities and over 80% of Gaza’s schools have been destroyed or severely damaged,” she said.
Putting Money Into Education in Support of Palestinians
“It will require a lasting ceasefire, and then years of investment in learning opportunities, to rebuild Gaza’s education system,” she said, emphasizing that this scholarship is one of many significant signals that we can send to show solidarity with Palestinian youth. However, we must all do everything within our power to support as many students as we can in the interim by hearing their stories, responding to their calls to action, and providing them with direct financing.
“This project aims to support and elevate young Palestinians whose voices will continue to be heard around the world,” Yousafzai underlined. “By working together, we are sending a significant message of solidarity with the Palestinian people, not just providing funding for a scholarship.”n
In October 2024, the first beneficiary of this scholarship will start attending Lady Margaret Hall at the University of Oxford. Using a network of support and solidarity from their diverse peers, this scholar will exemplify resilience and change as part of the vibrant Oxford Pakistan Programme community, inspiring a brighter future for many more to come.
The Oxford & Malala Fund’s Dedication
Oxford University will expand its assistance through a special access initiative in addition to the Malala Fund scholarship. Through this program, Palestinian students will receive assistance applying to US and UK colleges.
In her speech, Malala Yousafzai also emphasized the Malala Fund’s continued support for Palestine, extending its previous pledge of over $300,000 and providing more funding for humanitarian initiatives and Palestinian-led organizations. In fact, the Malala Fund guarantees the maintenance of resources to finance emergency and relief activities when the most severe crises impair students’ capacity to learn, even as they work with activist partners to advocate for girls’ access to and completion of education.
“This is really a challenging moment.It’s terrible and heartbreaking.I can’t even begin to comprehend the horrors and suffering that Palestinians endure.Humanizing people is crucial, in my opinion. Dehumanizing another group is frequently the first step in conflicts, wars, and persecution. I oppose the dehumanization of Palestinians. In a recent interview with British Vogue, Yousafzai stated. “They require peace, humanitarian assistance, and a ceasefire.”
Malala Yousafzai, a renowned Lady Margaret Hall graduate, has backed the OPP campaign since its start because she is dedicated to ensuring that all girls obtain a comprehensive,high-quality instruction. She also discussed her participation in creating two scholarships that support Pakistani women students in their academic endeavors at Oxford University, a move that fosters academic distinction and leadership, in her speech.
