My name is **Hani A. M. Alkhatib**, a Palestinian PhD student from **Khan Younis**, Gaza. I was granted a rare opportunity – a fully funded scholarship by the Palestinian government to pursue my doctorate in **Civil Engineering** at **Politehnica University of Timișoara** in Romania, based on a cooperation agreement signed in 2022 between Palestine and Romania.

But my journey is not just academic – it’s deeply personal.

Growing up in Gaza, I witnessed firsthand the destruction, the pain of displacement, and the desperate need for shelter and safety during times of war and natural disasters. My PhD research is my response to that pain – a way to rebuild, restore, and offer dignity to those who have lost everything.

My doctoral project focuses on **transforming shipping containers into modular, pre-stressed steel housing units** – fast, durable, and cost-effective structures that can serve as:

* Temporary or permanent shelters for displaced families

* Mobile medical clinics

* Emergency management centers

* Aid distribution points

* Temporary classrooms for children in crisis zones

These units are designed to withstand **earthquakes, explosions**, and other dynamic loads – ensuring that even in the worst conditions, people can feel safe again.

I believe this system can be a **vital solution for rebuilding Gaza** and other conflict-affected areas – offering hope, stability, and a chance for healing.

But there’s a problem.

While my scholarship covers tuition, **I receive no funding for the actual research**, which involves costly lab experiments, advanced software, and specialized equipment. I need:

* High-precision testing machines (metal cutters, benders, drills)

* Non-contact deformation measurement systems (ARAMIS)

* Vertical load cells and strain gauges

* Engineering software like ETABS, SAP2000, ANSYS, ABAQUS, Revit, AutoCAD

Due to the war and economic collapse in Gaza, my family can no longer support me. I am relying entirely on university internships, and even those cannot cover basic travel or lab costs. I have the vision, the plan, and the expertise. But I need your help to make this real.

**Your donation can help turn a metal box into a home.**

**Into a classroom. A clinic. A future.**

This is more than just a research project – it’s a mission to bring safety and hope back to shattered communities.

Please consider supporting my work. Every contribution, big or small, will bring us closer to a world where no one is left without shelter in the darkest of times.

With deep gratitude,

**Hani A. M. Alkhatib**

PhD Candidate – Steel Structures

Politehnica University of Timișoara

Advisor: Prof. Dr. Daniel-Viorel Ungureanu

-