ATU Palestine statement

Thursday, March 21, 2024
ATU

In light of the increasing humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza, Atlantic Technological University (ATU) reiterates the urgent necessity for a ceasefire and peaceful resolution, and the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to the region. The distressing images and stories coming from the conflict in Gaza have affected everyone.  Our stance is based on humanitarian principles and the need for a peaceful resolution for all.

Since the terrible attack on innocent people in Israel on October 7th, we have witnessed an unprecedented level of retaliation on the Palestinian population in Gaza, surpassing comprehension, and demanding a swift humanitarian intervention. In solidarity with those affected, ATU is exploring avenues to provide tangible support for the innocent young people caught in this conflict, including expanding educational opportunities through initiatives like the Irish Aid Fellowship program and the TU RISE program.

ATU will also explore how we can offer educational opportunities to Gazan students in Ireland.

We have witnessed the destruction of university campuses across Gaza.  In support of our colleagues in education in Gaza, ATU envisions post-conflict initiatives such as Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) as a contribution to Gaza's educational recovery. We will foster open dialogue and discussion on the conflict, welcoming perspectives from diverse voices to deepen understanding of this complex conflict. Collaborative partnerships with twinned regions and universities in Gaza are also being pursued to aid in the reconstruction of higher education infrastructure post-conflict.

While our efforts are small in the scale of these events and our call for peace and humanitarian aid can seem futile, as a community of students and educators we believe our stance is just and warranted.

Throughout these efforts, ATU remains acutely aware of the complexities of the situation and continues to invite feedback from across our community, as we support calls for a peaceful future in the region.