SETU Carlow designated a University of Sanctuary and safe haven for refugees

“I FELT like I was facing death itself, but somehow I survived” a young Carlow resident has said.

Nineteen-year-old Palestinian Zaid Elkhazendar was speaking at the official designation of the South East Technological University as a University of Sanctuary recently. Zaid ,who is a first-year student at the Carlow campus, was one of three 2024 scholarship awardees who shared what receiving a scholarship under the sanctuary programme means to them.

“During one of the bombings, shrapnel flew past me and for a split second I thought that was it – that I wouldn’t make it. Ever since that day, I’ve felt like I’ve been given a second chance at life. This second chance has brought me to Ireland and SETU, where I feel safe and can think about building a future,” he told the gathering.

The emotion was palpable as Ziad spoke about the devastation of war, the innocent lives lost and “the stories left unfinished” in his native land.

“When we lose one person, it’s not just a life that’s gone; it’s an entire story, a person with friends, family, dreams and ambitions. Every life lost back home motivates me to keep going, to make something of this chance I’ve been given, so that one day I can make all of them proud,” he said.

Mehreen Qureshi from Pakistan fled to Ireland and is now studying law with a desire to become a defender of human rights.

“I want to work for justice. I have seen injustice all my life,” she said.

Thanking the sanctuary committee for giving her the opportunity to pursue her dream, Mehreen said that she hopes to become a voice for the voiceless. She told those gathered that “life is hard because I live in direct provision, but when I come into the college, that just fades away”.

Ammar Salah from Palestine said that receiving his scholarship has changed his life. The young man said he is a “genocide survivor”, describing Gaza as an “open air prison”. He spent a year living in a tent, struggling to survive, having lost his home, work and studies. His sister Maram was studying at SETU prior to war breaking out and worked tirelessly to bring him to Carlow safely. Ammar thanked local media for their help in covering his family’s story.

All three scholarship students received standing ovations from a visibly emotional audience comprised of college staff and students, members of the local Rohingya, Syrian and African communities, as well as representatives from Pavee Point, Carlow College and the Carlow County Development Partnership. Roma band Musicantia provided entertainment.

SETU is the second technological university to be designated a University of Sanctuary and vice-president for student experience David Denieffe praised the sanctuary working group under the leadership of Dr Sarah Sartori for its work over the last year, heralding the award as not only a “great achievement” but also “only the start” of integration across the Carlow, Waterford and Wexford campuses.

Chair of the awarding body, Places of Sanctuary Ireland, Dr Veronica Crosbie spoke of the organisation’s foundations and work in the integration sphere, promoting a culture of welcome and inclusiveness for refugees and those seeking international protection.

Dr Sartori said “being designated an official member of the University of Sanctuary movement means that our work to make our university more accessible, inclusive and welcoming for people who have been forcibly displaced, or who belong to the Traveller and Roma communities is formally recognised”.

Lecturer and sanctuary committee member John Balfe thanked the scholars for their powerful and impactful words, stressing the importance of the programme.

“At a time when there are increasing borders, both physical and emotional, barriers and obstacles, the committee is trying to offer some beacon of light in a time of immense darkness. This is us coming together in solidarity with our fellow human beings who are suffering across the world,” he said, adding that the university now offers a safe haven for those fleeing immense trauma.