Palestinian Scholarship Initiative scholars arrive in Singapore to begin studies at local universities
Three Gaza-born scholars under Singapore’s community-led Palestinian Scholarship Initiative have arrived and begun their studies at local universities. The initiative, which raised over S$510,000, aims to provide holistic support through education and community integration.
- Four Palestinian students from Gaza were awarded full scholarships under the community-led Palestinian Scholarship Initiative (PSI).
- Three scholars have arrived in Singapore and begun studies at NUS, SUSS and SIM; one awaits evacuation for next year.
- PSI has raised over S$510,000 to support the scholars’ education and integration.
SINGAPORE: Launched on 26 October 2024, the Palestinian Scholarship Initiative (PSI) represents a ground-up response by Singaporeans to educational disruptions caused by the ongoing war in Palestine.
The initiative, which began as a small community effort, has since grown into a significant humanitarian and educational movement.
According to PSI, the initiative achieved and surpassed its target of S$400,000, collecting over S$510,000 in total.
This included S$370,000 raised through the Ray of Hope crowdfunding platform and S$140,000 from private donors.
Following a rigorous selection process by the Scholarship Assessment Committee (SAC), PSI awarded full scholarships to four Palestinian students from Gaza.
Three of them, who had successfully evacuated before applying, have now arrived in Singapore and are enrolled at the National University of Singapore (NUS), the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), and the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM).
A fourth scholar remains in Gaza and has been unable to evacuate in time for the academic year. NUS has confirmed it will hold the student’s place until the next intake in 2026.
Supporting integration and community well-being
To ensure the scholars’ successful integration, PSI launched a Scholars Support Programme, a volunteer-led initiative pairing each scholar with two “befrienders” — one from the wider Singapore community and one from their host university.
The programme provides emotional, social and cultural guidance to promote healing, belonging and personal growth.
Anthea Ong, former Nominated Member of Parliament and PSI Co-Chair, expressed gratitude for the scholars’ safe arrival.
She said, “Our priority now is to make them feel safe and at home in Singapore by supporting them, in every way we can, to do well in completing their studies here so they can contribute meaningfully to the rebuilding of their homeland when they return.”
Funds raised by PSI have covered flights, accommodation, tuition fees, laptops, stipends, and a one-time settling-in allowance.
One of the scholars shared that arriving in Singapore had been a “warm and enriching experience,” describing PSI volunteers as “a family” that provided kindness, mentorship and friendship.
The scholar added that the opportunity to study abroad was “the chance I had long hoped for to advance my knowledge and one day give back to Gaza and its people.”
Context and support
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported in January 2025 that 51 university buildings in Gaza had been destroyed and 57 others damaged, underscoring the urgency of initiatives like PSI that offer academic continuity for displaced students.
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong publicly expressed support for the initiative earlier this year, attending a briefing and iftar event on 18 March 2025 at Pu3 restaurant alongside PSI’s partners and donors.
In July 2025, PSI also collaborated with The Projector cinema, which dedicated 55% of ticket sales from screenings of the award-winning film No Other Land to the initiative.
A collective national effort
PSI operates as a 100% volunteer-led effort, with funds managed by the Singapore-registered charity Ray of Hope, ensuring transparency and accountability.
The initiative is co-chaired by Anthea Ong and Professor Yaacob Ibrahim, former Minister for Communications and Information.
Their team includes professionals, academics, associations and youth volunteers from diverse backgrounds, united by a commitment to education and humanitarian solidarity.
PSI joins other community-led efforts supporting Palestinians, including Love Aid Singapore, Hearts Fiesta, Salaam Cola Singapore, Made from the Heart, Dabke Singapore, Lepak Conversations, and Ethos Books.
Collectively, these groups have demonstrated Singapore’s growing culture of civic compassion in response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
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