Dr Maisara Alrayyes Scholarship

The Dr Maisara Alrayyes Scholarship | Feature from King's College London Browser does not support script. Browser does not support script. The Alrayyes Scholarship is designed to provide the best and brightest Palestinian students with a one-year Postgraduate Master’s Degree in a health or health science subject. The scholarship will support students whose work reflects Dr Alrayyes’ determination and perseverance, including his dedication to helping others through advancing and improving health outcomes. King’s worked with Dr Alrayyes’s family, friends and colleagues to establish The Alrayyes Scholarship at King’s in August 2024. King’s also displays a piece of art created by his sister, the artist Fatma Alrayyes, in his memory on the ground floor of New Hunt’s House, Guy’s Campus. About Dr Maisara Alrayyes Dr Alrayyes was an inspirational young health leader who was committed to improving health among his community in Gaza. During his life, he worked extensively with NGOs, community based and government organisations in Gaza, specialising in women’s and children’s health. He also researched the impact of conflict on patients and doctors. Dr Maisara Alrayyes was born on 31 January 1995 in Gaza City. An outstanding medical student, Dr Alrayyes studied at Al-Azhar University, Gaza. He graduated with Honours in 2018. During this time, he was president of the Palestinian chapter of the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations from 2016-2017. From 2017 – 2019, he worked as a project coordinator for the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund leading the training of medical students to become lifesaving first aid instructors and gain skills to act in emergency situations. After a year-long rotation internship across hospitals in Gaza, Dr Alrayyes joined King's in 2019 when he was awarded a highly prestigious Chevening Scholarship. He undertook an MSc in Women and Children’s Health, which he completed the following year. During his time at King's, his work was published in several high-profile journals, including the Journal of Prehospital and Disaster Medicine. Dr Alrayyes was well-respected and known among his colleagues for his dedication to improving healthcare for women and children in low-income and war-affected regions. His research included studying the impact of conflict on maternal and child health services in Gaza, and exploring doctors’ experiences and training needs in disaster preparedness and response. After completing his masters degree, Dr Alrayyes returned to Gaza. He joined Médecins du Monde, an international humanitarian organisation, and worked to help manage emergency doctor training and prepare primary health centres to operate as trauma care centres. On 5 November, Dr Alrayyes was killed alongside other members of his family in Gaza City, aged 28 years. He is survived by his wife, Laura Elhayek, who is also a Chevening scholar, and his sister, Fatma. Dr Maisara Alrayyes Scholarship The scholarship is for a one-year Postgraduate Taught Master’s Criteria (in order of preference) Palestinian Medicine graduate for health-related MSc Palestinian health/science graduate for health-related MSc Palestinian graduate in other discipline for any MSc Applicant from forced migration background deemed suitable for scholarship Value Successful applicants will receive: a full tuition fee waiver a living allowance of £20,000 for their year of study VISA and travel costs Number available One Year of entry 2025 Applications Applications will open for this scholarship in early 2025 for the 2025-26 intake. Eligibility criteria You must: Be Palestinian - priority will be given to those residents in the West Bank, Gaza or one of the Palestinian Refugee Camps Be currently residing in Palestine or be a holder of Palestinian travel documents Require a Student Visa to study in the UK. King’s can provide specialist VISA advice Be holding an offer of study on a Postgraduate taught programme at King’s in 2025 Priority will be gi…