The University of Bradford Students’ Union has voted to twin with the Islamic University of Gaza.

The motion was passed by a majority of the union’s council members after it was presented by the Students’ Union Bradford United 4 Palestine society.

The motion produces the first twinning initiative by the Students’ union and a university in the Palestinian territories.

The union has now been mandated to support the campaign to open up its subscriptions to electronic journals and e-books with the Islamic University of Gaza. It will also look at sponsoring exchange visits for teachers and students.

Students’ union secretary-treasurer Khaled Almudallal said: “The twinning initiative comes due to the awareness that our student body have for the issues of the world. Palestine is at the heart of those issues.

“The students’ union is trying to do its best to convey this twinning at wider levels.”

The Islamic University of Gaza was bombed in 2008, causing $15 million of damage.

The University of Bradford Students’ Union, along with its Bradford United 4 Palestine Society and the Let Palestines Study Campaign, are organising Palestine Awareness Week and rememberance, to be held at the university campus. Events will run from Monday, February 1, to Friday, February 5.

On Wednesday students at Bradford will celebrate the twinning with IUG through a video link with officials and students.