OUI Emergency Fund

The Open University of Israel (OUI) is addressing the urgent needs of approximately 1,600 students evacuated from their homes in the communities surrounding Gaza and the North. Facing economic uncertainty and potential study pauses, the OUI management has established an Emergency Fund to provide crucial financial aid. Simultaneously, OUI is actively involved in documenting the events of October 7th, and has opened its facilities for a national mission to record testimonies for remembrance and research. Contributions to the Emergency Fund, with a goal of $1,000 per student, are sought to ensure the continuity of education and support the well-being of the OUI community during these challenging times.

The Emergency Fund will be used to meet the following urgent needs:

• Tuition and tutoring – It is OUI’s goal to support students evacuated from their homes and provide them with continuity in their higher education studies. Covering tuition and extra tutoring will ease the students’ decision to continue in their studies despite their difficult situation. Studies have shown the importance of educational continuity in minimizing the risk of dropping out, in providing the opportunity to graduate, and in enhancing their future employment prospects.
• Purchase of computers – Students had to leave most of their belongings behind. The purchase of computers will make it possible for students to continue their studies and their study routine. OUI students are already used to and prefer learning from afar, and are well acquainted with OUI’s unique distance learning tools.
• Mental Health Assistance – Many of the evacuated students suffer from panic, anxiety, and depression. OUI is offering them supporting therapy and the counseling needed to help them cope and to complete their studies.

OUI will also utilize funds from the Emergency Campaign to embark on a national mission of recording testimonies and actively documenting the events surrounding October 7 th for future remembrance and research.