![\"Gaza](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1_74ecf9f8-37a8-45b9-9677-bffe0c8b348bJPG.jpg\")
Gaza student Shaymaa(Image: UGC)<\/p>\nThe Sunday Mail has highlighted Shaymaa’s case who has a fully funded scholarship for a PhD in English Literature at Edinburgh University.Gaza student Shaymaa(Image: UGC)<\/p>\n
THE Israeli government is facing demands to allow students trapped in Gaza <\/a>who have won places at Scottish universities<\/a> to travel to the UK.<\/p>\n The Sunday Mail has highlighted the case of , 32, who has a fully funded scholarship for a PhD in English Literature at Edinburgh University.<\/a><\/p>\n She is among around 40 students due to study in Scotland and 102 across the UK.<\/p>\n Shaymaa, who taught at the Islamic University of Gaza<\/a> until it was bombed early in the war, told the Sunday Mail: \u201cWe still don\u2019t have any updates regarding evacuation.<\/p>\n “We are just anxiously waiting for confirmation from the government that we will be evacuated on a specific date.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m from east of Khan Yunis and we have been dis-placed in Al-Mawasi since May 19.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone in Gaza <\/a>lives each moment as if it\u2019s our last, our last moment on earth. We always feel like we could be the next target and at the same time we are waiting for a ceasefire.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve been living in this perpetual state of uncertainty for almost two years, it\u2019s terrifying to have our feelings swinging between hope and dread thinking we could take our last breath at any minute.<\/p>\n \u201cSo this opportunity to study in Edinburgh<\/a> for me is one of safety as well as of education. I welcome it and welcome becoming a genocide survivor.<\/p>\n \u201cStudying in Edinburgh has been my lifelong dream. I can\u2019t wait for that.<\/p>\n \u201cEven under normal circumstances, I\u2019d have been so eager to get to Edinburgh<\/a> to start my PhD.<\/p>\n “You can only imagine what it would mean for me to start my education, despite everything. Despite the genocide, the war, the bureaucratic complexities.<\/p>\n \u201cI just want to get to the place I\u2019ve been dreaming about.\u201d<\/p>\n Glasgow Labour MSP Pauline McNeill has been championing the students\u2019 cause.<\/p>\n She said: \u201cIsrael must allow those students to travel to the UK to take up their studies. They deserve a good education.\u201d<\/p>\n Shaymaa has been living in a tent with 11 family members for two years.<\/p>\n It is understood the students, who need approval from Israel, will travel to neighbouring Jordan before flying here.<\/p>\n The students, some of whom are due to take up PhD and Masters courses<\/a>, have been told to take only a mobile phone, charger and a plastic bag with legal documents.<\/p>\n Those with dependents have been told they cannot bring their kids. The Scottish Government is holding daily briefings with universities. The UK Government held its first meeting with uni officials last week.<\/p>\n Education Secretary <\/a>Jenny Gilruth said: \u201cThe Scottish Government will work to ensure every eligible Gazan<\/a> student with the offer of a scholarship is able to get to Scotland, where they will be warmly welcomed.\u201d<\/p>\n Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.<\/p>\n You’ll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.<\/p>\n No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.<\/p>\n All you have to do is click here if you’re on mobile<\/strong><\/a>, select ‘Join Community’ and you’re in!<\/p>\n If you’re on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click ‘Join Community’.<\/p>\n We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don\u2019t like our community, you can check out any time you like.<\/p>\n To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘exit group’.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/p>\n The Sunday Mail raised Shaymaa\u2019s plight with the UK Government and First Minister John Swinney<\/a>, has said coming here will save her life. Edinburgh MP Christine Jardine said: \u201cI\u2019ll be putting pressure on the Government to make sure they deliver what they promised.\u201d<\/p>\n The UK Government said students must go through biometric processing to be considered for a visa.<\/p>\n![\"Pauline](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0_Scottish-Daily-Politics-2024.jpg\")
Pauline McNeill, Scottish Labour Justice spokesperson(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Screengrab](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1_JS366636916.jpg\")
Christine Jardine![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758085594_118_0_WACOMMUNITYQR3.jpg\")
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!<\/p>\n