In Gaza, the Israeli military’s ongoing assault has taken the lives of more than 100 professors and academics, a staggering blow to higher education, intellectual progress, and the future of Palestinian students. Among those killed are three distinguished university presidents, each of whom dedicated their lives to education, scientific advancement, and the empowerment of their people. Their contributions to academia and society remain profound, even in their absence.
Dr. Said A. Alzebda: A Visionary Leader in Applied Sciences
Dr. Said A. Alzebda was a Palestinian electrical engineer, academic leader, and innovator, was serving as the President of the University College of Applied Sciences (UCAS) in Gaza. He was committed to bridging technology, education, and entrepreneurship to drive innovation in Palestine.
Early Life and Education
Dr. Alzebda pursued advanced studies in the United Kingdom, earning a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering from the University of Nottingham. During his time there, he was highly regarded for his academic excellence and leadership, also founding a Qur’an school to serve the local community.
Academic and Professional Career
Dr. Alzebda dedicated over 18 years to UCAS, holding key leadership roles, including Director of Development Programs and Head of the UCAS Technology Incubator (UCASTI), which he establishes in 2011. Under his leadership, UCASTI becames the largest technology hub in Palestine, supporting entrepreneurs, startups, and innovation-driven education.
In 2021, he became the youngest university president in Palestine, overseeing a period of rapid institutional growth, including doubling student enrollment, modernizing academic programs, and recruiting top-tier faculty. His transformative leadership made UCAS a regional leader in applied sciences and technical education.
Personal Life and Legacy
Dr. Alzebda was married to Ikram Ghanem, a fellow University of Nottingham alumna with a master’s degree in Management of Information Technology. Together, they had three children: Ezzedine, Intisar (Nussa), and Sumuyyah.
On December 31, 2023, Dr. Alzebda, his wife, and their children were killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting their home in Gaza. His visionary leadership at UCAS, commitment to faculty and student development, and dedication to expanding opportunities for young entrepreneurs continues to inspire.
Dr. Sufyan Tayeh: A Scientific Luminary and University President
Dr. Sufyan Tayeh was a distinguished Palestinian physicist and academic leader, serving as the President of the Islamic University of Gaza (IUG) since August 2023. His work in theoretical physics and applied mathematics was internationally recognized, and he was dedicated to advancing higher education and scientific inquiry in Palestine.
Early Life and Education
Born in the Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, Dr. Tayeh pursued his education under difficult circumstances. He attended UNRWA schools before earning a Bachelor’s degree in Physics from the Islamic University of Gaza in 1994. Demonstrating exceptional ability, he continued his studies at Ain Shams University in Egypt, where he obtained a Master’s degree and later a Ph.D. in Theoretical Physics and Applied Mathematics in 2007.
Academic and Professional Career
Dr. Tayeh rose through the ranks at IUG, beginning as a teaching assistant in 1994 and later becoming a professor of theoretical physics and applied mathematics. His administrative roles included Head of the Physics Department (2008–2011), Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs (2013–2015), and Dean of Admissions and Registration (2015–2019). In August 2023, he was appointed President of IUG, where he led the university’s mission to expand research, enhance faculty development, and strengthen international partnerships.
His research spanned optical waveguides, optical waveguide sensing, ellipsometry, dye-sensitized solar cells, and OLEDs, contributing to major advancements in physics and engineering. He was a UNESCO Chair for Physics, Astrophysics, and Space Sciences in Palestine, reflecting his global academic influence.
Personal Life and Legacy
Dr. Tayeh was married and had two sons and three daughters. On December 2, 2023, he and his family were killed in an Israeli airstrike, cutting short his impactful work. His commitment to scientific research and higher education in Palestine remains an inspiration.
Dr. Muhammad Eid Shabir: A Scholar and Institution Builder
Dr. Muhammad Eid Shabir was a Palestinian microbiologist, educator, and public figure, served as President of the Islamic University of Gaza (IUG) from 1990 to 2005. His leadership was instrumental in expanding IUG’s academic programs, research output, and institutional development.
Early Life and Education
Born on March 28, 1946, in Khan Yunis, Palestine, Dr. Shabir pursued higher education in the United States, earning a Ph.D. in Microbiology from Marshall University. His academic focus was in virology, immunology, and infectious diseases, fields where he made significant research contributions.
Academic and Professional Career
Dr. Shabir’s presidency at IUG was marked by institutional growth and expansion. Under his leadership, the university developed new academic disciplines, strengthened faculty research capabilities, and enhanced student learning environments.
Beyond academia, he was involved in Palestinian political discourse, and in 2007, he was considered a consensus candidate for Prime Minister in discussions regarding a National Unity Government.
Personal Life and Legacy
Dr. Shabir was married to Rehab Mohamad Shubair, who served as Deputy Minister of Women’s Affairs. The couple has six children and was deeply rooted in Gaza’s educational and social fabric.
On November 12, 2023, Dr. Shabir, his wife, their daughter-in-law Najat Ayoub Alhelo, and their grandson Muhammad Malik Shubair were killed in an Israeli airstrike on their home in Gaza City. His legacy as an academic leader, researcher, and community builder continues to shape Palestinian higher education.
The Ongoing Assault on Gaza’s Academic Community
The deaths of Dr. Said Alzebda, Dr. Sufyan Tayeh, and Dr. Muhammad Shabir are part of a larger pattern of attacks on Gaza’s academic institutions. According to AURDIP, more than 100 professors and scholars have been killed in Israeli airstrikes, a devastating loss for Palestinian education, research, and future generations of students.
Beyond these individual tragedies, all 12 universities in Gaza have been targeted or destroyed, systematically dismantling an entire academic infrastructure. The deaths of so many intellectuals and educators are not just a loss for Palestine—they are a loss for the world. When universities are turned to rubble and those who nurture minds are buried beneath them, the very foundation of knowledge and progress is under attack.
Academic institutions are meant to be safe havens for learning, discovery, and the pursuit of truth. The destruction of Gaza’s universities and the killing of its scholars is a deliberate assault on education itself, and its consequences will be felt for generations. The world must not remain silent in the face of this devastation.
The legacy of these three presidents and their fallen colleagues lives on—in their students, in the knowledge they created, and in the unwavering belief that education is a force for liberation and justice.
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