SPOCs (small, private, online courses) for Gaza is a grassroots, student-led initiative connecting volunteers in the US and around the world with the academic and student community in Gaza.
* All our team members are volunteers. No one is paid unless they are students in Gaza serving as TAs.
MIT and non-MIT course materials adapted for device and internet constraints including assessments, lectures, and project support.
Volunteer-led recitations, office hours, and Q&A are provided in Arabic as needed to transcend language barriers.
Students are collaborators, not passive recipients. We actively care for both academic and non-academic needs.
Collaboration with internet hubs across Gaza City, Nuseirat, Deir al Balah, and Khan Younis, offering subscriptions of internet and electricity as well as e-SIMs; coupled with regular virtual communication and care from assigned student support team volunteers and accessible academic material for constrained devices.
American University in Cairo in-classroom support with shared library and devices, with dedicated volunteer teams running courses and curriculum among student groups to provide personalized support and care and build communities.
Oct 2024 → Jan 2025
Students completed these courses in both Gaza and Egypt; some were accepted into the MIT Emerging Talent Program (8-month career development program).
Apr 2025 → Oct 2025
Students worked on projects applying concepts to real-life problems.
We enable 1:1 support and group collaboration so students apply learning together and collaborate with peers across borders.
Students who complete courses and demonstrate excellence, and a commitment to support their peers, join as Teaching Assistants and can become active researchers by collaborating with PalUROP.
Weekly check-ins and tailored guidance.
Co-learning spaces across Gaza & Egypt.
Outstanding students return as TAs.
TAs collaborate as active researchers.
