Questions
Asked by
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many Palestinian students from (a) Gaza, and (b) the West Bank, are studying in British universities. [HL2330]
Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) data for 2007-08, the most recent year for which data are available, indicate that there were 615 students from Israel studying at higher education institutions in the United Kingdom. Comprehensive data are not available on the nationality of students. Data are collected on student domicile but are not broken down below country level, so it not possible to identify the numbers of students from Gaza and the West Bank studying in the UK.
Asked by
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have offered any scholarships for Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank to study in British universities; and, if so, how many for (a) Gaza, and (b) the West Bank. [HL2331]
Her Majesty's Government awards scholarships to Palestinian students mainly through the Chevening Scholarship programme and the Chevening Fellowship programme, which is administered by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Data held do not identify if they are from Gaza or the West Bank.
2002-03 10 scholars 0 fellows 2003-04 10 0 2004-05 8 0 2005-06 15 0 2006-07 20 0 2007-08 10 3 2008-09 6 2
One Palestinian student also participated in the Dorothy Hodgkin Postgraduate Awards (DHPA) scheme in 2008 and two scholars from West Bank universities participated in a Research Council-funded visiting fellowship programme in 2006-07. Data are not available on whether the DHPA student was from Gaza or the West Bank.
Asked by
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether there are any twinning or collaboration arrangements between British universities and Palestinian universities; and, if so, which universities from (a) Gaza, and (b) the West Bank, are involved. [HL2332]
The Government do not have comprehensive information on the collaborative activities of British universities with partner organisations overseas. They are free to develop such arrangements as they see fit and many do so without any kind of publicity. However, I am aware that a number of British universities are working with their counterparts in Gaza and the West Bank, including:
University of Cambridge and Al Quds University and University of Berzeit;
the University of Glasgow and the University of Berzeit and the University of Hebron; and
the University of Nottingham and the Islamic University in Gaza.