Major reconstruction project at the Islamic University of Gaza is now complete!

May 14, 2012

Al Fakhoora and The Islamic University of Gaza (IUG) celebrated the completion of the first phase of the reconstruction program.

The reconstruction work has provided the Faculty of Medicine with two additional floors that include workshop rooms, a medical library, clinical and nursing skill labs, telepathology and histopathology labs, a pathology museum and optics labs, which will totally revolutionise the way that students can learn.

 In October 2010, Al Fakhoora signed an agreement with the Islamic Development Bank that promised to contribute to the education sector as a whole by reconstructing educational institutions and universities. IDB and Al Fakhoora selected the Qatar Red Crescent as their implementing partner for the $3 million project.

“Al-Fakhoora in Qatar responded positively to this appeal and agreed to start building, furnishing and equipping two floors in the university for the benefit of medical students,” said The Dean of Medicine at IUG, Dr. Mofeed Al Mokhallalati.

Almost 1000 students spread across the schools of medicine and nursing will benefit directly from the new lab equipment. IUG is Gaza’s oldest university and is home to 30,000 students. 

Dr. Mokhallalati added; “We are deeply grateful to Al-Fakhoora for funding this vital project. It has saved the future career of hundreds of medical students.”

Abdel Raheem Al Mahallawi, a third year medicine student at IUG, said the new facilities and lab equipment were instrumental in boosting the school’s educational experience.

“Some of the new spaces are designed for lectures and lab work. The dual purpose halls have saved me plenty of time running from one lecture hall to another lab. I am also extremely impressed with the lab equipment and the sophisticated safety instruments and tools that were not available to us before,” said Mr Al Mahallawi.

Farooq Burney, Director of Al Fakhoora, who attended the inauguration in Gaza, met with staff and students at IUG.

“A few months ago we awarded eleven students the Furkan Dogan scholarship for Medicine. I am so glad we are able to provide students with the financial support to study and enrich their learning experience with access to labs and materials that will be instrumental in shaping their medical proficiency.”

The scholarship for studying medicine is named in honor of the 19 year old Turkish man who was on board the Mavi Marmara when the Israeli forces raided the ship, killing Dogan and eight other passengers. The young man had dreamed of becoming a doctor.

Mr. Ahmet Dogan, Furkan’s father, was also in Gaza to attend the inauguration and meet with the recipients of the scholarship.

“Al Fakhoora shall continue to deliver on its pledge to promote and facilitate Palestinian students’ unhindered right to education,” said Farooq Burney.

Read more about our reconstruction projects here