Palestinian Journalist Plestia Alaqad to Kickstart First Semester at AUB

Young Palestinian journalist Plestia Alaqad was awarded the Shireen Abu Akleh Endowed Memorial Scholarship by the American University of Beirut. Alaqad, who was forced to flee Gaza back in December 2023, will start her journey at AUB this upcoming semester.

Established in 2022 in partnership with the Yafa Foundation, following the violent murder of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh by the occupation, this scholarship offers fully-funded Master’s degrees in media studies to women from Palestine.

Now that the 22-year-old has finally settled in Beirut, she will begin her first graduate semester at the university. Alaqad previously gave a virtual talk during the university’s Palestine Week in early March of this year. Her discussion revolved around the realities of covering the genocide in Gaza.

Many other brave Palestinian journalists have been granted this scholarship. Shatha Hanaysha, who witnessed the assassination of Shireen Abu Akleh, was the first recipient of the scholarship.

Image retrieved from The MainGate.

Through the Shireen Abu Akleh Endowed Scholarship, these women honor the legacy of a fellow journalist and hero. They will also be taking crucial steps towards amplifying Palestinian narratives and advocating for press freedom.

If you enjoyed this read about Plestia Alaqad kickstarting her semester at AUB, you can read up on what took place during AUB’s Palestine Week back in March here.