Al-Aqsa University

Coordinates: 31°29′0.96″N 34°26′43.96″E / 31.4836000°N 34.4455444°E / 31.4836000; 34.4455444
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Al-Aqsa University
جامعة الأقصى - غـزة
TypePublic
Established1955
PresidentDr. Kamal Shrafi[1]
Undergraduates25325
Location,
Websitewww.alaqsa.edu.ps

Al-Aqsa University (Arabic: جامعة الأقصى) is a public university with campuses in Gaza City and Khan Younis, Palestine. Established in 1955 as a teachers' institute before later expanding its curriculum, it is the first and oldest public higher education institution in the Gaza Strip. It caters for some 26,000 students and has some 1400 employees, 300 of whom are lecturers and professors.[citation needed]

In 2024, the university's facilities were destroyed by Israeli bombardment during the 2023 Israel–Hamas War.[2][3]

History[edit]

In 1955 when Gaza was under Egyptian administration, a teachers' institute was founded to train teachers at all levels. It became the State College of Education in 1991 and was renamed Al-Aqsa University in 2001 after it was officially accredited.[4] In 2003, it joined the Union of Arab Universities and the Palestinian Higher Education Council.[5]

A new building containing 32 laboratory spaces was completed in 2022 by the company MECC.[6] Also opened was an early childhood laboratory from the Care (Erasmus+) Project.[7]

Al-Aqsa University has been subject to Israeli attacks multiple times. On 16 March 2004, the IDF sieged the neighbourhood near Al-Shohada Junction north of Al-Zaytoun and expelled its residents before razing agricultural land and demolishing buildings, including part of Al-Aqsa University.[8] During the 2008–09 winter invasion, the university's Tel al-Hawa library was damaged,[9] and a forthcoming community education facility under construction was destroyed.[10] On 6 February 2024, it was reported that the IDF had shelled two university buildings and opened fire on displaced Palestinian civilians who had taken shelter on campus.[11] In addition, academics, such as Dr Wiesam Essa, were killed.[12]

Faculties[edit]

  • Faculty of Applied Sciences
  • Faculty of Art and Human sciences
  • Faculty of Education
  • Faculty of Fine Arts
  • Faculty of Media
  • Faculty of Management and Financing
  • Faculty of Sports
  • Faculty of Information Technology

The 8 faculties offer bachelor's degrees with postgraduate studies on a joint program, established in 1994, between Al-Aqsa University and Ain Shams University, Egypt. The program is on hold now, but there are master's degree programs in a number of faculties in the university.[citation needed]

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Position Paper on al-Aqsa University Crisis in the Gaza Strip, September 27, 2016
  2. ^ Mondoweiss Palestine Bureau (19 January 2024). "'Operation Al-Aqsa Flood' Day 105: Israel destroys Gaza's last university as Netanyahu doubles down on rejection of a Palestinian state". Mondoweiss. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  3. ^ Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor (12 March 2024). "European academics condemn Israel's destruction of education system in Gaza". euromedmonitor.org. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  4. ^ Feuer, Michael (25 August 2021). "Simple Rhetoric, Complicated Realities". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  5. ^ Elshobaki, Naser. "Requirements for Applying DSS in Palestinian HEI - Applied Study on Al-Aqsa University in Gaza" (PDF). HAL Open Science. p. 6. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  6. ^ "Construction of laboratories building - Al Aqsa University". MECC. 29 December 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  7. ^ "Al-Aqsa University Celebrated The Opening Of The Early Childhood Laboratory". Care. 18 October 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  8. ^ "Israeli occupying forces destroy a branch campus of al-Aqsa University in Gaza". MIFTAH. 17 March 2004. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  9. ^ "Protection Urged for Gaza Cultural Heritage". American Libraries. 6 March 2009. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  10. ^ Almeghari, Rami (6 August 2009). "Crippled academia unable to recover in Gaza". EI. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  11. ^ Nadeem, Hosni (6 February 2024). "Israeli army destroys 2 buildings of Al-Aqsa University in Gaza City". AA. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  12. ^ "In memoriam - Dr Wiesam Essa". University of Manchester. 26 January 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2024.

References[edit]

External links[edit]

31°29′0.96″N 34°26′43.96″E / 31.4836000°N 34.4455444°E / 31.4836000; 34.4455444