I recently participated in a webinar with founders of this new UK-based organization and many others from around the world, including in Gaza. I’ve taken the liberty of copying/pasting most the About Us section. I was moved, saddened, and inspired by what many of the speakers, including student activists, had to say about the ongoing genocide in Gaza, education, and Palestinian students. The meaning of the name “80 PLUS” is described below.

Who We Are

80 PLUS is a UK-based non-profit organisation dedicated to helping talented students from Gaza continue their education through fully funded one-year taught master’s scholarships at UK universities. At a time when Gaza’s entire higher-education system has been devastated, we work to ensure that learning, hope, and opportunity do not disappear for a generation of young people.

Our name reflects both our model and our mission.
80 PLUS brings together 80 people or more, each giving £30 a month for 12 months, to fund one full scholarship. It also stands for Palestine Learning United Scholarships, highlighting our belief in collective responsibility and solidarity through education.

Why We Exist

Since 2023, Gaza’s entire Higher Education system has been devastated – all universities severely damaged or destroyed, academics and students killed, and thousands displaced. The extent of the destruction has led United Nations specialists to express grave concern that this pattern of attacks indicates an attempt at the ‘systematic destruction of the Palestinian education system’ (UN, 2024), also referred to as ‘scholasticide’. As opposed to the situation in other conflict zones, this scholasticide has been occurring across historic Palestine for decades, under various guises (Wind, 2024), but has recently intensified in Gaza as part of the current genocide. 

It is against this backdrop that we are launching 80 PLUS to attempt to meet some of the urgent needs for Palestinian students in Gaza to continue their higher education which will enable them to contribute to rebuilding education in Gaza. At the same time, we recognise the equally urgent need to support universities in Gaza to continue to operate in whichever way they can; for this reason, we have also built into our model a mechanism for supporting students currently studying at their home universities in Gaza.

Our Mission

Our mission is simple but powerful:
Bringing people and institutions together to rebuild education in Gaza.

We aim to place at least one scholarship in as many UK universities as possible, creating a nationwide movement of support, connection, and shared responsibility.

Our Vision

A future where talented students from Gaza have equal access to world-class education, empowering them to rebuild their communities and inspire hope for generations to come.

Our Values

1. Dignity

We believe every student deserves the right to learn, dream, and grow with dignity. Our work protects this right and ensures scholars are supported with respect and care at every step.

2. Solidarity

80 PLUS is built on collective responsibility. We stand with Gaza’s students and communities, bringing people and institutions together to rebuild what has been lost.

3. Transparency

We are committed to openness in how we raise, allocate, and manage funds. Donors deserve clarity, and students deserve trust, so we share our processes and decisions with honesty.

4. Equity

We prioritise students who face the greatest obstacles to education – those experiencing hardship, displacement, and barriers beyond their control. Fairness guides our selection and support.

5. Empowerment

We do more than fund degrees. We create opportunities for students to gain skills, confidence, and networks so they can uplift themselves and contribute to rebuilding higher education in Gaza.

6. Community

Our strength comes from people working together – donors, volunteers, universities, and scholars. We value every contribution and believe change is possible only when we act collectively.

During the webinar, I asked if 80 PLUS would consider creating “chapters” in other countries. It’s one of their long-term plans. I hope this happens sooner rather than later, including in Ireland, Canada, the US (?), Germany, etc.

Here’s the recording.

I urge you, dear reader, to get involved and support this organization in some way.

Peace & Justice, MAA