Palestinian ambassador declines scholarships for Asian University for Women students, deeming them connected to Israel
In a recent statement, the Palestinian Ambassador to Bangladesh, Yousef SY Ramadan, has voiced his opposition to the enrollment of Palestinian students, including women from Gaza, at the Asian University for Women (AUW) in Chattogram. The ambassador's decision is based on concerns over AUW's affiliations with entities linked to Israel and its leadership’s alignment with policies perceived as undermining Palestinian sovereignty.
Despite this, the ambassador has clarified that the embassy has no objection to Palestinian students studying in Bangladesh generally. In fact, over 200 scholarships have been secured for Palestinians at various other Bangladeshi universities. The specific objection to AUW arises from several reasons, including security concerns, ethical objections regarding the university’s governance, funding sources, and international partnerships, and allegations that even some aspects like the AUW’s design were connected to Israeli citizens.
The ambassador also denied media claims that delays in processing AUW applications were responsible for the deaths of 30 students. He explained that these students voluntarily withdrew from AUW and were successfully admitted to other institutions.
It is important to note that the former UK Prime Minister, Tony Blair, has been linked to initiatives perceived as undermining Palestinian sovereignty, as he is the husband of AUW’s founding chancellor, Cherie Blair. However, AUW has stated that it has no knowledge of Mr. Blair's activities in the region and that its partnerships do not include any Israeli organizations.
Despite the ambassador's opposition, more than 70 Palestinian students currently study across various institutions in Bangladesh. The embassy is working to expand these numbers through secure channels.
This decision by the Palestinian Ambassador has sparked debate and discussions about the role of political affiliations in educational opportunities for students. The embassy maintains that its primary concern is the safety and well-being of Palestinian students, and it continues to support and facilitate education for Palestinians in other Bangladeshi universities through secure and dignified channels.
- The ambassador's decision stems from concerns about the Asian University for Women's (AUW) affiliations with entities linked to Israel and its leadership's alignment with policies perceived as undermining Palestinian sovereignty.
- Despite this, the embassy has no objection to Palestinian students studying in Bangladesh generally, with over 200 scholarships already secured for Palestinians at various other Bangladeshi universities.
- The debate surrounding the ambassador's decision focuses on the role of political affiliations in educational opportunities for students.
- The embassy is working to expand the number of Palestinian students studying in Bangladesh through secure channels, and it continues to support and facilitate education for Palestinians in other Bangladeshi universities.
