Students from Gaza arrive in Scotland to begin university scholarships

A group of students from Gaza who have been offered fully-funded university scholarships have arrived in Scotland.

Their arrival comes after the UK Government was urged to delay biometric checks for 80 students so they could study in Britain.

The UK-authorised biometrics registration centre in Gaza closed in October 2023 but in order to obtain a UK visa, applicants must provide a photo of their face and their fingerprints.

It was confirmed last month that the home secretary had organised for special arrangements to be made that would allow the students to have their checks carried out in a safe third country before traveling to take up their places.

Education secretary Jenny Gilruth said that she would be seeking an urgent meeting with the foreign secretary to confirm that the students can bring their dependents.

“I am pleased to confirm a group of students from Gaza have now arrived safely in Scotland and will shortly be starting their courses at universities throughout the country”, Gilruth said.

“The Scottish Government has been pressing for more action from the UK Government so it is welcome the students are now arriving to start their scholarships.

“They are warmly welcome in Scotland, as are the first group of children who arrived for NHS Scotland medical treatment last week.

“I have written to the foreign secretary seeking an urgent ministerial meeting on those students who have secured places in Scotland who have so far been denied by the Home Office the opportunity to bring their family with them.

“Given the horrors that these people have endured, the UK Government must act urgently to confirm that students with fully funded scholarships in place can bring their dependants.

“It is hard to imagine the trauma that they and their loved ones have experienced at home. It is now important they are afforded privacy to settle in and concentrate on their studies.

“I am sure they will be warmly welcomed on campus by their fellow students, and in the communities where they will be living.”