Under the auspices of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) and on the occasion of September 1st, World Peace Day, the "Science Cafe for Gaza" events were initiated. As part of these events, the program "Being a University in Gaza" was held at Kastamonu University, where the current state of higher education in Gaza, the efforts of students to continue their education, and the processes of academics continuing their scientific activities were discussed.

The program titled "Being a University in Gaza," organized as part of the Science Cafe events for Gaza in collaboration with our university's Press and Public Relations Consultancy and the General Coordination of External Relations, under the coordination of the Higher Education Council (YÖK) and the Science Communication Office, was held on Monday, September 21, 2026, at the Living Heritage Studies and City Archive (Yücebıyıklar Mansion).

The program was attended online by Dr. Emad Hamadeh, a faculty member of the Computer Engineering Department at Al-Quds University, and the Department Head, Dr. Safa Nassereldin.

The opening speech of the program was delivered by the Press and Public Relations Advisor, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Selver Mertoğlu. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mertoğlu emphasized the importance of the program, which will address the current state of higher education in Gaza, and thanked the participants.

After the opening speech, Dr. Faculty Member Emad Hamadeh took the floor, stating that he visited Kastamonu University last year and expressing his satisfaction with the visit. After Dr. Hamadeh, Dr. Safa Nassereldin spoke about the reflections of being a university student in Gaza on education and daily life.

Dr. Nassereldin stated that students faced various difficulties in terms of physical, technological, and academic aspects while continuing their education and expressed that different methods were developed to continue educational activities despite the current conditions. Stating that online education, digital resources, and technological opportunities were used in the continuation of educational activities, Nassereldin said that the current conditions made it difficult to benefit from these opportunities.

Stating that the expression "Being a University in Gaza" encompasses not only educational activities but also the significance universities hold for students and society, Nassereldin expressed that universities have a role in producing knowledge as well as preparing for the future, fostering solidarity, and preserving hope.

Emphasizing the importance of students' efforts to continue their education despite all the challenges, Nassereldin stated that international support is needed to ensure the continuity of academic activities.

The program also addressed the academic relations between Türkiye and the universities in Gaza. The program evaluated the development of existing collaborations in areas such as academic exchange, joint scientific studies, technical support, and infrastructure support.

In the program, which also evaluated the difficulties faced by academics working in Gaza in addition to students, discussions were held on the continuation of education and scientific work under the current conditions, the continuity of academic production, and the support needed.

The program also addressed potential collaborations in areas such as student exchanges, joint academic projects, online education, sharing of scientific resources, academic consultancy, and cultural interaction. Project ideas aimed at developing academic and cultural ties between university students in Türkiye and those in Gaza were also evaluated.

The "Being a University in Gaza" program, hosted by our university, concluded with a commemorative photo taken in honor of the day.