In a landmark development aimed at revitalizing Gaza’s higher education system, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Consortium of Universities, Gaza–Palestine. The agreement marks a significant step toward strengthening scientific cooperation, promoting academic exchange, and rebuilding the war-affected educational institutions of Gaza.
The MoU was signed by Prof Dr Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General of OIC-COMSTECH, and Prof Ayman M. F. Sobh, President of Al-Aqsa University, representing the Gaza Universities Consortium. The consortium includes seven leading universities of Gaza: Al-Aqsa University, University of Palestine, Al Azhar University, Islamic University of Gaza, Gaza University, Israa University, and Al-Quds Open University.
Under the agreement, COMSTECH and the consortium will collaborate to launch joint educational and research programs, host international conferences and training workshops, and promote faculty and researcher exchange programs. Gaza’s universities will also be integrated into the COMSTECH Consortium of Excellence (CCoE) and registered on the OIC Technology and Innovation Portal, opening new doors for collaboration with institutions across the Muslim world.
COMSTECH’s support will focus on faculty development, sabbatical opportunities, and specialized training in high-demand fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Medicine, Allied Health Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Information Technology. The initiative underscores a shared commitment to building academic resilience and fostering innovation in Gaza through scientific cooperation.
“This important step will be greatly helpful in connecting universities from Gaza–Palestine with more than eighty leading higher education and research institutions across OIC member states,” said Prof Dr Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary during the signing ceremony. “COMSTECH will continue to assist the universities of Gaza in their rebuilding and rehabilitation through close academic and research collaborations.”
He noted that the partnership aligns with COMSTECH’s broader mission of empowering OIC member states through science, technology, and education, and of promoting sustainable development through academic cooperation.
Earlier, the delegation from Gaza–Palestine, comprising vice chancellors and senior representatives of seven universities, visited the OIC-COMSTECH Secretariat in Islamabad. They were briefed on COMSTECH-led initiatives aimed at strengthening research capacity across OIC member states and expressed deep appreciation for COMSTECH’s continued support for Gaza’s educational institutions.
The visiting delegation is currently on a week-long tour of Pakistan at COMSTECH’s invitation. During the visit, they are engaging with leadership of leading Pakistani universities in Islamabad, Faisalabad, and Lahore, which are members of the COMSTECH Consortium of Excellence. The visit seeks to establish long-term partnerships and collaborative programs to rebuild and advance higher education in Gaza.
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The Gaza delegation extended heartfelt gratitude to COMSTECH and Pakistani universities for their solidarity and commitment to strengthening Gaza’s academic community during a time of immense challenge and need.