MARY Immaculate College (MIC) has announced that a human rights advocate and a linguistics academic have been awarded this year’s MIC Postgraduate University of Sanctuary Scholarships.
The scholarship programme, which was awarded for the second time this year earlier this month, aims to offer financial support for students from all corners of the world who are seeking international protection in Ireland and includes a full fee waiver and an annual stipend of €3,000.
The two successful applicants, both from Afghanistan, are Farahnaz Haidary, who is pursuing an Masters in Education for Human Rights and Equality, and Ahmad Shah Amadhi who is studying for a Masters in Applied Linguistics.
Professor Lorraine McIlrath, Director of Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Interculturalism (EDII) at Mary Immaculate College, congratulated the hard-working awardees.
“This scholarship programme is facilitated by the EDII office at MIC and is designed to increase participation for international protection applicants, refugees, and migrant groups on a merit basis and we are extremely happy to support our two recipients, Farahnaz and Ahmad, in their chosen course of study,” she said.
Farahnaz attended MIC’s Women in Education: Afghanistan and Ireland conference in March 2023, which heard from Afghan women, academics, journalists, and government employees about the plight women face under the Taliban and what the international community might be able to do to help.
She said that the scholarship “was not just a financial support but a hope, trust and opportunity” to advance her work with migrant communities in areas like integration.
