Gazan students remain in limbo as Canadian visas stall • FRANCE 24 English

Key Concepts

• Visa Delays for Gazan Students: The central issue is the prolonged delay in visa processing for Gazan students accepted into Canadian universities, specifically the University of Waterloo.
• Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza: The transcript highlights the devastating impact of the war on education and civilian lives in Gaza, including the destruction of universities and loss of life.
• Advocacy for Students: Efforts by individuals like Professor Nadia Abu Zahara to advocate for these students and highlight their plight.
• International Evacuation Efforts: Comparison with other countries (UK, Italy, Ireland, France) that have successfully evacuated their students.
• Security Checks and Evacuation Challenges: Reasons cited by the Canadian Federal Department for the visa delays.

Sundus's Dream and Interrupted Education

Sundus, a top student in Gaza, aspired to become a human rights lawyer and represent Palestinians globally. Her academic pursuits were abruptly halted by the destruction of her university in Gaza due to the ongoing war.

A Glimmer of Hope: University of Waterloo Scholarships

In 2024, Sundus received an acceptance into the Global Governance Master's program at the University of Waterloo. This offered a "small window of hope" for her and 129 other students who had secured scholarships to study in Canada. These students were scheduled to commence their studies in September but are still awaiting their visas.

Tragic Loss of Life

The situation has taken a tragic turn, with some of the scholarship recipients losing their lives. Dalia and Sally, twins who were also accepted to the University of Waterloo, were reportedly killed by an Israeli airstrike on December 5th, 2024.

Communication Amidst Adversity

Professor Nadia Abu Zahara maintains contact with Sundus through voice notes and videos, despite unstable internet connections in Gaza. Professor Abu Zahara has been actively advocating for the Gazan students accepted into Canadian universities.

Canadian Federal Department's Explanation

The Canadian Federal Department responsible for facilitating immigrant arrivals informed France 24 that the visa delays are attributed to two primary factors:

1. Security Checks: Rigorous security assessments are being conducted.
2. Difficulty Evacuating Students from Gaza: The logistical challenges of safely evacuating students from the conflict zone.

Baffling Refusal of Entry

Professor Abu Zahara expresses bewilderment at the refusal to admit these students, emphasizing that they are not seeking refugee status but are applying as scholars. She states, "What is happening at the moment and the refusal to let in students as students, they're not even asking for refugee status. The refusal to let them in as students as scholars is baffling."

Resilience in the Face of War

The transcript underscores the immense bravery of these students, who have endured extreme hardships. They have "braved white phosphorus which burns and burns until you die" and "braved all kinds of bombing destroying every university in Gaza." A video shared by Sundus depicts her teaching children in a tent, with drones audible overhead, illustrating the perilous environment.

International Comparisons and Unanswered Questions

The UK, Italy, Ireland, and France have successfully facilitated the evacuation of their Gazan students, enabling them to complete their education. Sundus and her peers are questioning why Canada has not taken similar action.

Conclusion

The situation of Gazan students accepted into Canadian universities highlights a critical humanitarian and educational crisis. Despite securing scholarships and facing immense personal danger, their academic futures remain uncertain due to prolonged visa delays. While security checks and evacuation challenges are cited as reasons, the lack of progress contrasts with the successful efforts of other Western nations, leaving these aspiring scholars in a state of limbo and despair. The loss of life among these students underscores the urgency of the situation.