'There are currently no opportunities to study in Gaza; thank you to the UPV for giving us a future'

"You are not only allowing us to leave Gaza; you are giving us a future, you are giving us dignity, you are giving us the hope to continue with our lives, and we promise we will make you proud of us."

Visibly moved, with tears in her eyes… this was how Nariman Salem Irheem, a 20-year-old student from Gaza (Palestine), responded during the video call in which, a few days ago, the Rector of the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), José E. Capilla, confirmed the final go-ahead. After months of an intense bureaucratic battle, the final permission had been granted: on 1 June, both she and her sister, Roba Irheem (19), would leave Gaza for a new life.

"Everyone told us it was impossible, that we would never manage to leave, but we've done it. We're here, and our very presence is a message of hope for all Gazans. It can be done," celebrated Nariman, seated alongside Capilla, her sister Roba, the Vice-rector for Internationalisation and Communication at the UPV, José Francisco Monserrat, the Vice-rector for Students and Entrepreneurship, José Alberto Conejero, and the Dean of what both Nariman and Roba hope will be their future school, the School of Informatics (ETSINF), Andrés Terrasa, who will welcome them from next September as guest students whilst they gain official admission through the PAU.

"We are not terrorists; we are ordinary, intelligent people, capable of studying engineering or any other degree, and we deserve to smile and live like everyone else," stated Nariman, who admitted that "right now, studying in Gaza is impossible. All the universities are completely destroyed, and the internet barely works. It's even difficult to send a message. There is hardly any electricity in public buildings, such as hospitals, and it is risky to go there because of the attacks and bombings… Nowadays, the chances are zero."

Months of bureaucratic, diplomatic and emotional work to secure the approval of all the governments involved

"This story begins in the summer of 2024," noted the Rector of the UPV, "when the Governing Council approved a resolution in support of Palestine." It was in this context that Nariman's message arrived on the UPV's WhatsApp, requesting her admission on humanitarian grounds.

"I wrote to many Spanish universities, because I wanted to come to a country where I would feel safe and welcome. Several replied, and some even gave me hope, but in the end, it was the UPV that really went out of its way for us so that today, at last, we can be here."

To achieve this, months of diplomatic, bureaucratic and emotional work were required. "At the end of the day, we're talking about people," explained Capilla when asked about securing the necessary permits from all the governments involved, including Israel's, which the Rector described as "essential" for an operation that has, throughout this time, enjoyed the backing of three Spanish government ministries – Youth and Children; Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation; and Sciences, Innovation and Universities—the Spanish consulates in Jerusalem and Amman, and the Embassy of Israel in Spain.

With everything in place, Nariman and Roba set off in the early hours of last Monday on a journey that took them through the Kerem Shalom border crossing, across the West Bank to Amman, where they had a 32-hour permit to leave the country – flying on Tuesday to Madrid and then travelling by road to Valencia.

"It's the best day of my life," said Nariman with a huge smile, despite having "slept for just four hours since Sunday night", as she walked through Gate 10 of Terminal 4 at Adolfo Suárez-Barajas Airport. And no wonder, because as she admits, "right up until the last moment, I was afraid something might happen to stop us from getting here".

Two brilliant students

Now that they are in Valencia, it is time for them to prepare for the university entrance exam, which they will sit through UNED, which has collaborated by making the necessary changes to the timetable. "We have no doubt they will succeed," said the Rector, "because they are two brilliant students."

Nariman, in fact, graduated from Tawjihi in 2023 with an average mark of 9.91 and, despite the bombings and constant displacement, completed an academic year of the Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity Engineering taught in English at the Gaza University of Applied Sciences. Roba, also with excellent grades, is following in her sister's footsteps.

Today, for the first time, both have set foot in the school where they wish to continue their academic journey, and above all, to do so in peace. Their family remains in Gaza, from whom they bid a tearful farewell because, as they acknowledge, "who knows if we'll ever see each other again". Hopefully, the future—the sooner the better—will bring them together again to celebrate the success of two sisters who want to show "the best path, the path of education, to achieve the world we want".

"Thank you so very much, from the bottom of our hearts, to the whole of the UPV," concluded Nariman, grateful for the welcome from what is, without a doubt, already her home.

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