A Scholar’s Story: Finding Hope in Higher Education

By MECI Communications Team

He was a computer engineering student without a computer — or at least not one that worked.

When war broke out in the West Bank in 2023, Ayham Rimawi found himself trying to attend online classes on a laptop that crashed every time he opened Google, let alone his coding software. In his second year at Birzeit University, Ayham had been borrowing devices from school or friends. Then, he lost access to both.

“I was trying to take advanced engineering courses on my phone,” he said.

But soon, tech issues were the least of his problems. Over the next 17 months, Ayham’s education, safety, and community were all thrown into chaos. Still, he pushed forward — driven by an unlikely hope for a better future, and supported by a MECI university scholarship that he received three years ago for his academic excellence and economic need.

“Having a degree in Palestine is very important,” Ayham says.
“It shows that we are human. We want to be something big — not just survive.”

Interrupted Learning, Interrupted Life

The war disrupted every part of Ayham’s university experience. After a sudden switch to remote learning, his professors struggled to adjust. Electricity cut out in the middle of classes — and even during exams. Without classmates to lean on, his motivation and mental health took a hit.

“The best thing about university is that you go and study with your friends,” he said.
“Online, you just stay in your house, in your room… You don’t feel like a student.”

When in-person classes finally resumed, Ayham faced new obstacles: military checkpoints, roadblocks, and a daily commute that now takes twice as long. But the dangers are more than logistical.

One of his classmates — a student involved in campus politics — has been detained without charge for over a year. Ayham is cautious about what he says and does, both in person and online. “Everything is controlled here in Palestine,” he explained. “Not just real life, but also digital life.”

Resilience Over Fear

Ayham distances himself from politics, focusing instead on his education. “That’s not me,” he said. “I’m Palestinian. I’m not Hamas. I’m not Fatah.”

He dreams of a life where education brings freedom. During a trip to Jordan years ago, Ayham remembers being stunned by what was missing: soldiers, checkpoints, guns. “I felt free,” he recalled.

Still, he’s committed to building his future in Palestine. If needed, he would leave temporarily to work, but he has no plans to abandon home.

“I want to live here. I want my kids to live here,” he said.

How MECI Is Helping

In response to the crisis, MECI is providing laptops to Scholars like Ayham, ensuring they can access their coursework remotely — even when roads are blocked and campuses are closed. For many, this support is the only way to continue their studies.

Ayham’s story is one of hundreds across Palestine — young people determined to learn, grow, and lead, no matter the odds.

Your support keeps their hope alive.
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