Oxford academics visit Gaza Strip

A delegation including eleven academics from Oxford University is coming to the end of a visit to the Gaza Strip where they have attended a medical conference at the Islamic University of Gaza. The president of the IUG, Jamal Al-Khoudari, MP, welcomed the visit, during which the academics also gave lectures to medical students.

“Our visitors have been able to see for themselves the effects of the siege of the Gaza Strip,” said Al-Khoudari. “They are keen to help our education sector to develop even further.”

Professor David Cranston, a senior clinical lecturer at the Nuffield Department of Surgery at the University of Oxford, expressed his pleasure at being able to attend the conference and thanked his hosts.

The delegation was briefed on the progress of the Islamic University and its determination to provide an excellent standard of education despite the siege and numerous armed incursions by the Israelis. During the 2008/9 war against the people of Gaza, Israeli aircraft bombed the laboratories at the university; lessons recommenced within two weeks of the unprovoked attack.