Urgent Support for Palestinian Students Seeking to Study in Scotland

That the Parliament notes that a number of Palestinian students from Gaza, including Renad Salem, a dedicated midwife working in Gaza, have received unconditional offers to study at Scottish universities but face tuition fees of around £33,000; understands that this is unaffordable for individuals and families affected by conflict and displacement; commends the efforts of people across Scotland who have supported these students through fundraising and crowdfunding initiatives; understands, however, that UK visa requirements mean that such support alone is often insufficient and that students require confirmation of full funding in order to secure study visas; notes reports that the Scottish Government pledged during the 2026 Scottish Parliament election campaign to establish a scholarship scheme for students from Gaza, but that any such scheme may not be introduced until 2027; believes that this timescale risks excluding students who are due to begin their studies in the 2026-27 academic year, and calls on the Scottish Government to introduce, as a matter of urgency, a scholarship or equivalent support scheme to enable Palestinian students with offers from Scottish universities to take up their places this academic year.