Hometown: Gaza, Palestine

Mapheze, a first-year student from Gaza, earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism and information at the Islamic University of Gaza, Palestine and a master’s degree in conflict analysis and peace building from the Nelson Mandela Centre for Peace & Conflict Resolution at Jamia Millia Islamia in New Delhi, India. Prior to joining the MAAS program, Mapheze worked as a researcher at the Qatar Embassy in New Delhi, and has also previously served as Executive Director at Indo-Pal Foundation, an organization that advocates for Palestinian rights, and as contributing writer for the Middle East Monitor, Al Jazeera, and various Palestinian media outlets. In addition, she has worked with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Gaza, which provided her with a greater understanding of regional security, particularly in relation to Palestine. Through her professional experiences, Mapheze has developed an expertise in regional and international relations with an emphasis on conflict resolution and security studies, and also solidified her commitment to public discourse and cross-cultural communication. Mapheze also has a passion for writing short stories and a keen interest in photography, art, and poetry, which she finds to be a way to enrich her understanding of contemporary cultural issues. She joined the MAAS program to engage in a stimulating intellectual environment and to interact with students, scholars, and practitioners from diverse backgrounds.