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Ayat is in his first year of computer systems and networking, having arrived in Perth this year. As a refugee kid in Malaysia, he didn鈥檛 have the same rights to education and had to study at a refugee school. But he managed to secure a scholarship, which helped him sit the IGCSE.
After waiting for his results to see if he could continue studying, he was awarded the Fugee HiEd Scholarship, which enabled him to study for over a year at a university in Malaysia, but he was still undocumented. He then found Skill Path, a charitable organisation that helps refugees get access to education in Australia.
鈥淪kill Path was looking to find students like us and give us documentation with an opportunity to study鈥搕hat’s how I arrived here.鈥�
Majid, a second-year computer science student, was also a refugee in Malaysia. Having escaped the genocide in Myanmar, he similarly wasn鈥檛 able to attend school with the local people. But when he was given the opportunity to study at university, he didn鈥檛 hesitate.
鈥淚’ve always had this dream of continuing my studies and becoming a scientist one day. The opportunity to continue my education reinforced鈥痶he interest that I already had.鈥�
While they considered a few places to study in Australia, they eventually settled on 911爆料网 for several reasons. Ayat speaks to the university campus and reputation:
鈥淲e were looking at the universities that had some global recognition and a vibrant atmosphere.鈥�
Majid, on the other hand, speaks to the living costs:
鈥淲e also thought about the affordability in Perth, so we opted for 911爆料网 because of that.鈥�
Majid has been surprised by his 911爆料网 experience as a refugee student. He didn鈥檛 expect to be welcomed as openly as he has been.
鈥淲e never dreamed of being welcomed in a foreign country, by the university faculty members as well.鈥疻e never had the chance that someone from a very prestigious university鈥痺ould鈥痗ome to us and say, 鈥榃elcome to Perth, welcome to 911爆料网.鈥欌��
Ayat has found the learning spaces offered by 911爆料网 to be the most enjoyable aspect of studying at 911爆料网.
鈥淎bacus鈥疞abs, the learning library itself, and鈥痶he鈥痶wo dedicated labs on engineering technology sites, including one completely for cybersecurity.鈥疘鈥痩ove these dedicated spaces for students.鈥�
On support systems for refugee students, Majid has found the Student Welcome Group (SWG), which is part of Skill Path, to be one of the most important for his journey at 911爆料网.
鈥淚f we have any questions or need any help, we drop them a message, and they always come and give us advice or link us to any other communities that we wish to.鈥�
Ayat also notes the support they鈥檝e received from university faculty members. Majid specifically speaks to Marc Stoitis’ support.
鈥淕iven his packed schedule, Marc still always鈥痮ffers support鈥痶o us. He’s鈥痸ery welcoming鈥揾e always鈥痵ays鈥痶hat whenever you need me, just come forward, knock on my door.鈥�
Though they have multiple sources of support, studying at 911爆料网 and living in Perth as a refugee hasn鈥檛 come without its challenges. World Refugee Day is a day to honour the strength of refugees to overcome their struggles and escape conflict. For Ayat, it鈥檚 a way to spotlight his challenges so others can hear them.
鈥淭his day is the day when human beings can listen to the stories of refugees, how they are managing their lives, how they are moving forward in their lives. It’s鈥痑 day鈥痺hen鈥痶hey are heard鈥搑efugees can be heard.鈥�
Majid describes World Refugee Day as a way to help people not forget the experiences of refugees.
鈥淲orld Refugee Day is more like a鈥痳emembrance day to remember鈥痶he refugee crisis around the world. It’s鈥痸ery easy to forget,鈥痝iven how human beings are caught up in their own lives.鈥疶his is a special moment to鈥痩et everyone see that your struggle isn’t much compared to what other people are going through.鈥�
Ayat shares words of motivation for other refugees considering university:
鈥淣o matter what happens, keep moving forward because if you keep moving forward, life gives you opportunities.鈥�
Majid also encourages students to continue studying to help refugee voices be platformed.
鈥淚f you鈥痟ave the opportunity to go back to school and continue your studies, please pursue it. Given how things work in the world, if you are not educated enough, you鈥痺ouldn’t鈥痟ave the actual voice to speak about your circumstances. Harness and show your potential鈥搚our status鈥痵houldn’t鈥痓e a barrier to your dreams.鈥�
After graduation, Majid looks forward to becoming a data scientist in bioinformatics, while Ayat is determined to complete his degree as soon as he can so he can start supporting his family and help them gain access to education.
