Palestine Solidarity Initiative

In our pilot year 2008-2009, PSI united over 100 students, alumni, lecturers and governors from a range of UK universities.  Together we helped over 40 Palestinians apply to UK postgraduate courses, many of whom received successful offers to their chosen courses and several who received university-linked scholarships to fund their studies. 

Here's what some of the people involved have to say about PSI:

“I always had the idea that applying to a university abroad [would be a] barrier. Thanks to my friends in PSI, who where there for me each step of the way, I learned how to apply to university.  Thanks to them, I acquired 3 acceptances from universities in the UK.”

     Ayman, West Bank, Palestine

"PSI's help with my scholarship and visa applications made a very complicated and daunting process much easier.  I'm about to start my Masters in the UK and really appreciate their help."
 
     Merna, West Bank, Palestine 

"PSI doesn't only help Palestinian students with scholarships in the United Kingdom, but is also seeking toincrease these scholarships for them. They also follow the application step-by-step, therefore the scholarship and visa process is much easier with PSI."

     Othman, Gaza, Palestine

"PSI does not only aid you with a mentor who helps you throughout the application process, it also exposes you to available opportunities. PSI is a gift for Palestinian students who want to proceed their education abroad, its prompt reply and professional communication is definitely a leverage. I am so thankful to my friends in PSI  (especially Ziyaad and Maryam}, words are never able to express what PSI really deserves."

     Nour, West Bank, Palestine

“I just want to thank and appreciate your efforts and the great job you are doing.  I have been thinking since a long time now to get a degree from the UK and I think that this initiative is a great thing for people like me who really need guidance and help to make it true.”

     Fuad, West Bank, Palestine

"The Palestine Solidarity Initative is a great way to show practical solidarity with the Palestinian people, and at the same time learn more about the daily experiences of those who live under Israeli occupation."

     James, London, UK

"UK universities have so far ignored the massive violation of the right to education of Palestinians. There weren't for example statements of condemnation when Israel bombed the Islamic University of Gaza last January (2009). This is in contrast to the privileged position of Israeli academia in the UK, which has a proven role in sustaining the illegal occupation."

"PSI provides a channel through which UK students can learn directly about the harsh reality in Palestine, inspiring them to forward the struggle for recognition of Palestinian rights on UK campuses."

     Ziyaad, Lisbon, Portugal