Achievements of graduates hailed in Gaza

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As yet another cohort of students has graduated in Gaza, their success and achievements have been hailed by local dignitaries and international visitors to the territory. Speaking at the 32nd Graduation Ceremony of the Islamic University of Gaza, Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh praised the institution for its great efforts in serving the young people of Palestine.

The IUG cohort included the second group of students who have graduated from the university’s Faculty of Medicine. Mr Haniyeh was very appreciative that the university had branded this year’s graduates as Al-Quds Cohort. “This reminder is much-needed at this time,” he said, “as Jerusalem is being targeted by the Israelis.”

The prime minister called on the graduates to be open to all human cultures. “We want open minds wider than the boundaries of the university and beyond the country,” he stressed. “We want minds capable of building human culture.” Education, he concluded, is the foundation upon which nations are built.

Also attending the ceremony was Malaysia’s Education Minister Ahmed Abdul-Raziq. He told the assembled graduates: “You have a better chance than those who could not get higher education. You will make the future for your families, society and country.” He reminded the audience that countries like Singapore and North Korea invest heavily in education despite limited resources.

University College of Applied Sciences in the Gaza Strip also held its graduation ceremony, the institution’s 14th. More than 1,800 young men and women clutched their degree certificates at the event. UCAS is an affiliate institution of the Islamic University of Gaza.

MEMO Photographer: Mohammed Asad

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