We hope that this edition of the Scientists for Palestine (S4P)'s newsletter finds you and your loved ones safe during these devastating times in Palestine and Lebanon. Read below for updates from the summer and upcoming pertinent news and events. Interested in pitching ideas and/or writing for the newsletter? Please contact us.
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Palestinian Advanced Learning with Machines School 2024
by the Schools subcommittee
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Scientists for Palestine is committed to organizing yearly summer schools in Palestine covering advanced topics. A school originally intended for winter 2023 had to be canceled due to the situation in Palestine. The atrocity of the unceased genocide made it painfully clear that in-person international scientific meetings and schools would no longer be feasible until peace is restored. Undeterred by this obstacle, S4P chose to collaborate with universities in Palestine and scientists across North America and Europe to host an online summer school on Machine Learning during 21–23 July 2024, dubbed the Palestinian Advanced Learning with Machines School (PALMS 2024).
As part of this initiative, experts Dr. Harold Erbin (CEA/IPHT, Saclay, France), Dr. Carol Cuesta-Lazaro (MIT, USA), Dr. Nicole Hartman (Technical University of Munich, Germany) and Dr. Marwa Mahmoud (University of Glasgow, UK) delivered lectures on the topics that included (a) introduction to machine learning / neural networks, (b) introduction to generative models, (c) unsupervised learning, (d) machine learning for theoretical physics & geometry, (e) Introduction to computer vision, (f) Applications for multimodal machine learning for human & animal behavior understanding. The lectures were supported by hands-on tutorial sessions, aided by a dedicated team of teaching assistants made up of graduate students and postdocs from around the world. In addition to technical sessions, the school offered a session focused on tips and suggestions for prospective PhD students applying to programs in the USA and Europe.
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Through the lectures, tutorials, and networking opportunities at this virtual school, S4P exposed Palestinian students to cutting-edge research topics in artificial intelligence and machine learning.
The school received an overwhelming participation of 110 students from all over Palestine, including the West Bank and Gaza; there were also several international participants. The S4P Schools committee was inspired and humbled by the participation of students in Gaza, some of whom attended the full week of classes and tutorials on phones with unreliable internet connections. Even more impressively, those students followed up after the conclusion of the school and continued to ask questions to improve their skills.
To date, nearly 30 students have submitted the assignments required to receive the PALMS 2024 certificates, including students participating from Gaza. We are looking forward to the completion of the final assessment from other Gazan participants, who are completing the program despite the hardship inflicted on them by Israel’s assault. These virtual schools are an opportunity to learn about cutting-edge topics, for international experts to network with Palestinian students and academics, and to advance the careers of young Palestinian scientists. Moreover, they are an opportunity for Palestine’s best and brightest to develop and demonstrate their talents, even in the face of adversity. We look forward to continuing our tradition of in-person schools next year.
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Supporting Teaching and Research in Gaza
by the Membership subcommittee
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As scientists and educators, we have watched in disbelief and horror as Israel barbarically destroyed Gaza’s education system, acting with disregard for international law and in utter disrespect to civilization. Our brave and resilient colleagues in Gaza have been placed in an impossible situation, yet they remain committed to supporting their students and rebuilding universities. You may have also wondered how best to contribute to these efforts.
Higher education in Gaza has been reduced to remote education initiatives offered mostly through universities in the West Bank. These efforts have had modest success due to the lack of reliable internet connection and the absences of a safe learning environment for students. This summer an S4P member, Anthar Darwish, in collaboration with the Palestine students scholarship fund (PSSF), visited Birzeit University, An Najah National University, and Bethlehem University to better understand how academics from abroad can help with these remote teaching programs. Whereas there is no shortage in volunteers to instruct courses, most of the teaching support needed is in helping to develop the practical component for STEM and health professional courses.
We can support the training of future healthcare professionals by helping instructors adapt curricula for virtual environments. This can include recording tutorials, sharing materials, and donating patient simulators for hands-on practice. Additionally, we can work on offering workshops on basic emergency medical response and make them available to all interested students.
For STEM courses, we can work on developing virtual labs and low-cost and sustainable lab kits and send them to students to create a more interactive learning experience. This initiative will be especially important when supplies can enter Gaza more freely
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In Gaza and the West Bank, students and instructors are dealing with significant psychological trauma. Researching and implementing best practices for both teaching and emotional support can address their unique needs. These findings should inform pedagogical and curriculum changes to ensure student success and enhance the learning experience.
Collaboration with Palestinian scientists and hosting displaced scholars is essential for addressing critical research themes in Gaza and the West Bank. Birzeit University (BZU) and An-Najah National University (ANNU) propose a model involving three parties: West Bank scholars, Gaza scholars, and international collaborators working on joint projects. Key areas of research include genocide documentation, public health, infrastructure rebuilding, water and food sovereignty, mental health, education, and environmental restoration. Additionally, preserving cultural heritage and addressing international policy issues, such as human rights, are priorities. Furthermore, we encourage you to connect with the Palestine institute for Biodiversity and sustainability, which is affiliated with Bethlehem University and is committed to working on some of these issues.
While short-term opportunities for displaced scholars to continue research abroad are welcome, it is crucial to avoid contributing to the long-term migration of talent from Palestine. This approach will support local capacity building while addressing pressing scientific and social challenges.
The situation in Palestine seems dire now, however it is through education and research, that we continue to build hope and solidarity. Now is the time for us to strategies our efforts and work on supporting our colleagues. It is in the darkest of times that we find our strength, optimism and community. Consider joining S4P and work with conscientious individuals that are committed to help rebuild education in Gaza and are also currently working on building an archive to document the scholasticide.
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Spotlight on Palestinian Science: an Interview with Mohammed Seyam
by the Membership subcommittee
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Mohammed Seyam, a doctor and advocate from Gaza, Palestine, is on a mission to bring attention to underrepresented health issues. Seyam graduated from the Palestine Faculty of Medicine at Al-Quds University- Al-Azhar branch, completing his medical training in Gaza, where he rotated through various departments, including surgery, internal medicine, and pediatrics. His experiences in Palestinian hospitals equipped him not only with clinical knowledge but also with resilience. “Seeing Palestinian patients and dealing with the difficulties and challenges they face has made me want to be a voice for them,” he explains. Living with Type 1 Diabetes himself, Seyam has always been acutely aware of the unique hardships faced by people living with chronic conditions in a region where healthcare resources have always been scarce and have been exasperated by Israels’ brutal genocide on Gaza.
Seyam's advocacy journey extends beyond direct patient care. He has become an active voice in international health forums, working with organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), and T1International. Through these platforms, Seyam has amplified his message about the need for better healthcare policies for patients with Non-Communicable disease (NCDs), particularly in low-resource and conflict settings like Gaza. He is currently completing his master’s degree in Global Healthcare Management (Leadership) at University College London (UCL), with the support of a prestigious Chevening Scholarship, which he hopes will further enable him to drive systemic healthcare changes.
When asked about his future plans, Seyam candidly admits feeling at a crossroads. While he values clinical work, his primary passion lies in the broader domain of global health policy. “I don’t want to be a clinician—that’s for now,” he reflects, acknowledging that his role may evolve over time.
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“But I want to be a healthcare professional working with international bodies, where I can guide the implementation of guidelines for people living with diabetes and non-communicable diseases.” His focus remains on advocating for neglected and marginalized populations, particularly those in humanitarian settings, where chronic illnesses are often overlooked amidst urgent medical crises.
Seyam’s journey also underscores the intersection between healthcare and human rights. He is deeply invested in the idea that healthcare is a fundamental right and should not be a casualty of political conflict. “It’s important to realize that the right to health means safeguarding the social conditions of life,” he says, quoting a WHO report on right to health in Palestine. For Seyam, ensuring access to healthcare for Palestinians is not just about medical supplies but about dismantling the political and economic barriers that impede healthcare delivery.
Despite the grim realities, Seyam is determined to effect change. A significant part of Seyam's work involves raising awareness about the lack of attention given to non-communicable diseases in humanitarian settings. “My question is: Why are NCDs neglected in humanitarian contexts?” he asks, pointing to the complex barriers healthcare professionals face in delivering services in Gaza. The lack of access to essential medicines, such as insulin for diabetes patients, is a glaring example of how political obstacles prevent even the most basic healthcare needs from being met.
In addition to advocating for improved healthcare access, Seyam also stresses the importance of research and evidence-based policy. For him, bridging the gap between scientific research and policy-making is crucial for lasting change. He encourages researchers to work directly with healthcare professionals in humanitarian settings to better understand the on-the-ground challenges they face and to generate data that can inform international policy discussions.
In every aspect of his work, Seyam carries with him the resilience and determination of the people of Gaza. He is not just a doctor or an advocate; he is a symbol of hope for a healthcare system under siege. His commitment to bridging the gap between healthcare and policy, especially in humanitarian settings, offers a model for how medical professionals can drive systemic change. As he continues his journey, Seyam’s voice is a reminder that healthcare is not a luxury, but a right—and that this right must be defended, even in the most difficult circumstances.
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Upcoming Events from the Bisan Lecture Series
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Don't miss out on the next events of the Bisan Lecture Series!
Wednesday, October 16, 2024, 7 pm Palestine time
Prof. Marwan Rashed (Paris-Sorbonne University)
Title: Universalism vs. Orientalism. Some Thoughts about, and in the wake of, Edward Said
Wednesday, November 13, 2024, 7 pm Palestine time
Prof. Didier Fassin (Collège de France and Institute for Advanced Study)
Wednesday, December 18, 2024, 7 pm Palestine time
Prof. Nadia Abu El-Haj (Co-Director of the Center for Palestine Studies, Columbia University)
Wednesday, January 8, 2025, 7 pm Palestine time
Prof. Neil Turok, Higgs Chair of Theoretical Physics, University of Edinburgh
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Become a member!
Are you a scientist, trainee or learner interested in contributing to Scientists for Palestine's mission? Take a more committed role by becoming an S4P member, and work with our diverse committees on their concrete projects. Follow the link here!
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