Consistent with our core mission to advance education and scholarship, the University of Alberta has a proud history of welcoming students and scholars from around the world who have been displaced by war and conflict. This includes initiatives like the David Turpin and Suromitra Sanatani Award for Refugees and Displaced Persons, which began in 2015 as an initiative to support Syrian refugees, efforts to support displaced Ukrainian students and scholars and current actions to bring displaced scholars from Afghanistan to Edmonton.
In light of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the university has established the Advisory Committee on Support for Displaced Palestinian Scholars and Students, co-chaired by Drs. Yasmeen Abu-Laban (Faculty of Arts) and Vivian Mushahwar (Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry). I am grateful for their leadership and the committee's thoughtful work as they develop recommendations to guide our university’s response.
As part of the committee’s work, the university is taking steps to support displaced Palestinian students and scholars. These include utilizing the Displaced Student Bursary program to support new students who hold Palestinian citizenship. This funding is in place and can start supporting students as early as fall 2025. It provides an annual bursary of up to $25,000 per student upon application and includes application of a domestic tuition rate. Bursary program details are available now, and the application will open in early 2025.
We are also pleased to welcome Dr. Ihab Naser, a nutrition researcher and former dean of the Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences at Al Azhar University in Gaza. Displaced after the destruction of his institution, Dr. Naser has been awarded a visiting scholar fellowship from the Institute of International Education (IIE) Scholar Rescue Fund. I am delighted that with matching funds, we are able to serve as the host institution. Thanks to the Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences, he can now continue his vital work here at the University of Alberta, and I extend my gratitude to the faculty members who helped make this possible.
Additionally, the university is joining the New University in Exile Consortium, which supports displaced scholars and students globally. This partnership strengthens our efforts to ensure long-term academic and professional opportunities for displaced scholars and students, including Palestinian scholars and students, by providing critical academic resources, research placements and opportunities for international collaborations. More details will be shared as they become available.
Please join me in doing all we can to create a welcoming and supportive environment for displaced students and scholars at the University of Alberta. Whether through mentorship, advocacy or simply reaching out to offer encouragement, we can show what it means to be a university that leads with care and purpose.
The Advisory Committee on Support for Displaced Palestinian Scholars and Students will continue its important work. We anticipate further recommendations from the committee that will help shape the support and resources available to displaced students and scholars, particularly those planning to join us in fall 2025 as incoming undergraduate and graduate students. Your involvement and support will be critical to bringing these recommendations to life. Together, we can ensure that those we welcome find a safe community where they can thrive.
Verna Yiu
Provost and Vice-President (Academic)
Learn more about university community care, conversations across differences and support available during crises.