The University of La Laguna has welcomed one of the six Gazan students who will continue their university education in Spain. The student, identified as M.J.J. for security reasons, arrived on a direct flight from Amman, Jordan, and will remain at the Tenerife academic center for the entire upcoming academic year. The institution has decided not to reveal his real name or the specific field of study he will pursue to protect his safety.
Initially, M.J.J. is residing at the home of a university lecturer but will soon move to one of the institution's accommodation centers. His arrival is part of the third evacuation of university students organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, promoted by the Vice-Rectorate for Internationalization and Cooperation of the ULL, with the support of the Palestinian Community Association in the Canary Islands.
The Vice-Rector, Inmaculada González, explained that M.'s visit stems from a proposal from the ULL's participatory budgets for 2024, which included three student scholarships. "We are working on the arrival of the second person this summer," she added. The third scholarship was declined for personal reasons, and the resources have been allocated to support the enrollment of Gazan students in their place of origin.
The University of La Laguna submitted its application to the Consulate of Spain in Jerusalem and consulted with various entities such as UNHCR, Doctors of the World, the agency UNRWA for Palestinian refugees, and CEAR. It also registered for the Humanitarian Corridor organized by the Conference of Rectors of Spanish Universities (CRUE). "It is years of work in which we have thoroughly prepared ourselves," stated the Vice-Rector.
Of the six university students evacuated on this occasion, three women will study in Barcelona (at the University of Barcelona, the Autonomous University, and the ESCAC - Higher School of Cinema and Audiovisual of Catalonia), and two men will study in Madrid (one at Complutense University and another at the School of Writers). The third male student will begin his studies at the University of La Laguna.
M.J.J. describes his situation as a "dream", contrasting the "very bad conditions" in Gaza with life in Tenerife, where he finds "kind people, support, and a good lifestyle." His aspiration is to become a neurosurgeon, a goal driven by the early loss of his parents to brain conditions.
During the conflict, he left his studies to help at a hospital, performing "dozens of neurosurgeries" under "unimaginable conditions," with "a lot of pressure," "hunger," "lack of resources," and "no psychological support." Despite the precariousness, with "no equipment," he continued his self-education after the destruction of universities and hospitals, searching for PDF books.
Seeking an exit from Gaza, he learned about the evacuation program. He has left behind his family, who are living in a tent amidst rubble. "There is no future in Gaza, at all," he laments, calling on the world to find a solution and offer a dignified life to his people.
