Disrupted and Displaced Palestinian Scholars and Students Initiative
The Disrupted and Displaced Palestinian Scholars and Students (DPSS) initiative supports members of the academic community whose studies, research or teaching have been disrupted by ongoing conflict and who have in many cases experienced displacement from their learning or working contexts.
Grounded in the University of Alberta’s commitment to access, community and belonging, this initiative affirms the right to education and scholarly pursuit in times of crisis.
A collaborative effort across the U of A – including many academic units and multiple portfolios in the Office of the Provost – the DPSS initiative provides coordinated pathways of support for Palestinian scholars and students who have been disrupted and displaced from their homes and from universities or research institutions. Through the DPSS Bursary Program, the University of Alberta was able to support students in continuing their studies; as of Fall 2025, the U of A has welcomed 21 undergraduate and graduate students across multiple faculties and disciplines under this program.
Beginning Winter 2026, the Virtual Scholars Program will assist in enabling impacted scholars to sustain their teaching, mentorship and research activities. This initiative will foster engagement across the university community through proposed public lectures and collaborative symposia, thereby creating opportunities to share knowledge and deepen mutual understanding. These activities invite the broader campus community to engage with perspectives, scholarship and experiences in ways that strengthen international dialogue, foster intellectual exchange and support the preservation of academic freedom.
Contribute to the DPSS Initiative
The Displaced Palestinian Students & Scholars Fund (DPSS) is a restricted fund, ensuring 100% of contributions directly support disrupted and displaced Palestinian scholars and students. The fund is reviewed regularly to ensure its impact reflects both its founding purpose and the evolving priorities of those it serves. Its pooled structure allows the DPSS Committee to respond quickly to urgent student needs, research continuity, and other emerging priorities.
Your donation helps ensure that knowledge and opportunity remain within reach, even in times of crisis, while supporting education, research, and community resilience.
DPSS Committee
A dedicated DPSS committee comprised of co-chairs Drs. Yasmeen Abu-Laban (Faculty of Arts) and Vivian Mushahwar (Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry), U of A leaders, representatives from key offices, working in coordination with external community partners and the Emergency Committee of Gaza Universities, guides decisions about prioritization of initiatives, resource allocation and coordination of efforts.