Spirit of Hong Kong Awards: Gaza nurse’s obstacle-laden road to becoming a professor

AI Summary

Gaza-born nurse and scholar Hammoda Abu-Odah faced repeated obstacles to studying abroad, including border closures and travel restrictions, before eventually reaching Hong Kong. He has pursued teaching and research and is now recognized for his path from nursing to academia.

On six occasions, Hammoda Abu-Odah, a Gaza nurse-turned Hong Kong scholar was offered an opportunity to study overseas. But each time, border closures and travel restrictions prevented him from taking them up. Abu-Odah had obtained a nursing degree in his native Gaza but set his sights on an academic career abroad. He kept working, teaching and conducting research, despite the many challenges that prevented him from leaving. Finally, on the seventh attempt, he made it to Hong Kong, where he...