McMaster-bound students trapped in limbo as conflict closes Gaza borders

Getting an acceptance letter from a prestigious university is a moment that, for many, opens up endless gateways of opportunity, but for students in Gaza, that letter can be a lifeline.

Tonight, we hear from someone who has been accepted into a doctorate program at McMaster University, but may not be able to attend, due to the war.

The war between Hamas and Israel has left the Gaza Strip in ruin, with one potential pupil at McMaster University who goes by Obada saying, “there is a lack of everything — a lack of food, a lack of drinking water and a lack of medicine.”

Obada however, maintains hope.

“Our purpose is to go to Canada,” said Obada. “As Academics, we fully intend to return to Gaza after completing our education, to serve our community.”

During the course of his studies in Palestine he attained his Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering and last year, began applying to for Ph. D programs abroad.

“One of the Canadian professors showed interest in my application,” said Obada. “Of course, I was so happy and excited.”

He says that assessment turned into an approval, with a full scholarship to McMaster University in Hamilton, paving the way for him to escape the dangers of his everyday life.

“Unfortunately, there was no evacuation for students who got admitted to Canadian universities,” said Obada.

Now, he’s stuck in limbo — unable to get a visa.

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“We can’t obtain a visa, because we are unable to complete biometrics requirements,” said Obada.

Some of the requirements for him to study in Canada include having his fingerprints on record, as well as an approved photo.

Two things he can neither do in Gaza, or in the adjacent countries with Canadian embassies due to the border closures.

His story is just one of many.

“We do have 130 who have received their admissions, received their funding letters to cover all their tuition and living expenses,” said Nada El-Falou, the director of student services at the Palestinian Students & Scholars at Risk network. “They have done everything — they’ve submitted their study permit applications and have just been waiting up to sixteen months.”

El-Falou is part of Supporting Students and Scholars at Risk, an organization that aims to connect Palestinian scholars with educational opportunities.

“Our goal is to help Palestinian students, especially in higher education — to pursue their masters, Ph-Ds — especially after all the universities have been destroyed in Gaza,” said El-Falou. “We do have a focus on the students in Gaza, to try and help them find connections in Canada, to continue their education.”

She says there are complications with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) process.

“In the IRRC there is a policy that allows the IRCC to exempt biometrics, if biometrics collection is impossible or not feasible, which very clearly the case in Gaza,” said El-Falou. “For those outside of Gaza, they are also facing significant delays. Just waiting for this unclear process of the background check that’s taking much longer than it does for other nationalities.”

CHCH News reached out to the IRCC and have not heard back yet.

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