My name is ABDALNASSER (Nasser), and I come from Gaza. After surviving over 200 days of war, losing my home, and leaving everything behind, I refused to give up on my dream. Last year, I started my Master’s in Cybersecurity at the University of Toledo in the United States and successfully completed three semesters with a perfect 4.0 GPA. Now, I am fighting to fund my final semester and finish the degree that will allow me to rebuild my life and contribute to a safer digital future.

I was born and raised in Gaza, where resources were limited, but my passion for technology and learning pushed me to excel. I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Network and Mobile Technology and began working as a senior mobile developer and later as a university lecturer, mentoring students and building software solutions for public institutions.

In October 2023, my life changed forever. More than 200 days of war forced me to leave behind my home, my work, and nearly all my possessions. With nothing but determination, I relocated to Egypt and applied to graduate schools, refusing to let the destruction end my dream of making an impact.

In September 2024, I arrived in the U.S. to begin my Master’s in Cybersecurity at the University of Toledo. Despite enormous personal and financial pressures, I poured everything into my studies and proudly completed my first year with a 4.0 GPA. That GPA is not just a number; it represents resilience, long nights of study, and a refusal to be defeated.

My first year was made possible through temporary support from my brother and personal sacrifices, but those resources have run out. As a displaced student from Gaza, I have no safety net and no support left to rely on.

The University of Toledo estimates the cost of my final semester, including tuition, living expenses, and required health insurance, at approximately $16,410.

Arab Student Aid International has approved a 0% interest loan of $5,000, which will greatly help me move forward, but I am still short of the remaining amount needed to register and continue my studies.

Artificial intelligence and cybersecurity are not just areas of study for me; they are my true passion. My research explores how AI can be combined with cybersecurity to create smarter, more adaptive, and resilient systems capable of predicting, detecting, and neutralizing threats before they cause harm.

With your help, I can complete my thesis, graduate, and turn this passion into real-world solutions that protect critical infrastructure, healthcare systems, and communities around the world. Your contribution is not just helping me finish school; it is helping me build tools that will keep people safe.

Every dollar helps me get closer to my goal. Your support, whether through donations or simply sharing this campaign, will allow me to overcome this final hurdle and complete the journey I started against all odds.

From Gaza to Ohio, my journey has been about resilience, hope, and determination. With your help, I can finish this chapter and begin giving back to the world.