Month: October 2025

Columbus, OH – September 2025, For the past 15 years, Arab Student Aid International (ASAI) has operated from its headquarters in Columbus, Ohio, with a mission dedicated to empowering Arab students in higher education. While ASAI’s impact has long been felt overseas, the organization is now taking intentional steps to strengthen its presence within the United States—starting right here in Columbus, with plans to expand nationwide.

This new strategic initiative provides an opportunity to broaden ASAI’s reach, raise awareness within the local community, and engage new donors in support of its mission.

As part of this effort, ASAI has launched a partnership with the Arab Student Union (ASU) at The Ohio State University. Known for fostering community among Arab students and celebrating the diversity of cultures across Arab nationalities, ASU offers a natural platform for ASAI to connect with the next generation of Arab leaders and allies.

Looking ahead, ASAI plans to sponsor ASU-hosted events and collaborate on fundraising initiatives that will amplify its mission of providing Arab students with the resources they need to pursue higher education.

The partnership began with a successful welcome BBQ hosted by ASU in September, serving as both a semester kickoff and an introduction of ASAI to the student community. The event brought students together in celebration and set the stage for a promising collaboration between the two organizations.

With this step, ASAI reaffirms its commitment not only to Arab students abroad but also to the local community, as it works to expand its impact and grow a network of support across the U.S.

Who is ASU?

The Arab Student Union (ASU) at The Ohio State University is dedicated to creating and sustaining an Arab community that supports students and welcomes all who are interested in learning more. Through its programs and events, ASU promotes a deeper understanding of Arab history, culture, and the rich political and religious diversity within the Arab world.

On campus, ASU works to educate both members and the wider university community, fostering appreciation for Arab culture and raising positive awareness of Arab American heritage. Beyond the university, ASU is committed to being politically engaged in support of justice for Arab people everywhere, while also organizing efforts to provide humanitarian aid to those in need.

Why ASAI Partnered with the Arab Student Union

Arab Student Aid International (ASAI), whose mission serves Arab students across 22 Middle Eastern countries, recognized a natural alignment with the Arab Student Union (ASU). Both organizations share a commitment to advancing education and uplifting Arab students as a community.

By joining forces, ASAI and ASU aim to seamlessly blend their efforts to raise awareness among students in the United States and abroad. The partnership provides an opportunity to spotlight Arab students nationwide and overseas, fostering unity and emphasizing the importance of education as a collective value.

For Palestinian students from Gaza, education is more than a personal goal—it is a lifeline for their communities. A significant number of Arab Student Aid International’s (ASAI) beneficiaries are medical students, young men and women determined to become physicians and return home as healers. But today, their futures hang in balance.

Osama Alsaadoni, a medical student and ASAI beneficiary, first began his journey with the organization by curating a video project to raise awareness about the impact of war on Gaza’s students. Now, he and his peers find themselves in urgent need of support. Forced to continue their studies in Egypt due to the ongoing war, these students face mounting tuition bills and the looming risk of losing their student visas.

At Zagazig University, where a group of these students are enrolled, the situation has become dire.

Tuition and Visa Status – Without payment of overdue and upcoming semester fees, the students could lose their legal status in Egypt. With Gaza’s borders closed, returning home is not an option, leaving them trapped in uncertainty—unable to study, work, or return.

Specialization and Training -Even graduation does not mark the end of their journey. To qualify as licensed physicians, they must complete their Imtiaz, a mandatory year of practical training. Without financial assistance, not only will their education be cut short, but years of study will be wasted and their ability to practice medicine permanently jeopardized.

“This is not just about tuition,” an ASAI representative emphasized. “It’s about safeguarding the future of Gaza’s healthcare system. These students represent hope—the doctors who will one day heal, rebuild, and restore their communities.”

The crisis underscores the urgent need for international solidarity. Support for Gaza’s students extends beyond classrooms; it is an investment in the resilience and recovery of a region that has long been denied stability.