A fresh start to further their education in Belfast for Palestinian scholars fleeing Middle East conflict

Two Palestinian scholars have arrived for a fresh start in Northern Ireland and the opportunity to further their education, against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Earlier this year, Queen’s University announced that it would be covering the cost of extending the existing Copty Scholarship for Palestinians from one to four students, as part of a package of measures of support for at risk students and academics.

The Copty Scholarship is a one-year scholarship funded by the Copty family together with Queen’s University. It was set up in 2020 by Georgina Copty and her husband Chris McDowell, both of whom are alumni of the university, in a bid to help transform lives through education.

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The fully-paid, one-year postgraduate programme is open to applicants with Palestinian nationality who live in Gaza or the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and belong to a family normally resident there.

Among those arriving in Belfast for the first time, is scholar Yousef Albaba, who will be studying a Masters in Public Health at Queen’s.

He said: “I’m based in Gaza, Palestine and after doing an undergraduate in medicine I continued my studies in Cairo. I always dreamed of pursuing a Masters degree in another country and when I learnt about the Copty scholarship, I knew I wanted to come here.

“My first impression of Belfast is that it’s a friendly, international city. Everyone has been really helpful so far. I'm looking forward to a new experience, new adventures, meeting new people and of course getting a good grade.”

Daniella Dumak, a 26-year-old dentist from Bethlehem, will be studying a Masters in Public Health, and speaking of her first impression of Belfast, she said: “Belfast is a lovely city with very friendly people. I feel very comfortable being here and it feels like another home for me. I’ve heard a lot of good things from other students including the teaching system here and I’m looking forward to studying here.”

Gina Copty, who founded the scholarship, said: “I am just so thrilled that Daniella and Yousef have arrived here today. Everyone's excited for the new semester, and Daniella and Yousef are able to be part of that. Thanks to the scholarship, they were able to leave a conflict zone and come and join us here at Queen's University.

“When there is conflict, one of the first things that suffers is the education system. We are so pleased that through the support of Queen's University and the Copty Scholarship that so far we have been able to support the arrival of two students to be lifted out of a conflict zone and arrive here. We hope to extend this to multiple students this year.”

Queen’s University Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Ian Greer added: “We are delighted to welcome Yousef and Daniella to campus today to begin their studies as Copty scholars and are thankful they have arrived safely in our city and at our University, ready for the new academic year.

“We understand the journey here will not have been an easy one but we are honoured to have them join us for the next 12 months as they further their studies. There are two more recipients of the Copty scholarship whom we hope will join us to commence their studies in January 2025, subject to visa appointments being available in Gaza.

“The university will continue to liaise with and take advice from the UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on this matter. We look forward to seeing all they achieve and wish them all the best with their studies.”

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