Education
Inclusion and Team Spirit on Show at TUS Graduation Ceremonies
TUS Sanctuary Scholarship programme – Patience Ndhlazulwana and Khanyile Maqeda who were among the first batch of students to graduate from TUS thanks to the programme, which gives assistance to asylum seekers.
TUS Sanctuary Scholarship Programme supports students living in international protection or from refugee backgrounds to access higher education
Students who rebuilt their lives in Ireland after fleeing Zimbabwe have graduated with flying colours from the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), as the university celebrated a landmark moment for the TUS Sanctuary Scholarship programme this week.
Patience Ndhlazulwana and Khanyile Maqeda were among the first cohort of TUS Sanctuary Scholarship programme scholars to complete their studies at TUS.
They were conferred at the Moylish campus alongside fellow graduates including Clare senior hurler and All-Ireland medallist Paddy Donnellan, marking a proud week of academic and sporting achievement for the university.
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The Sanctuary Scholarship supports students living in international protection or from refugee backgrounds to access higher education. The programme offers ten undergraduate scholarships each year, along with ten for learners progressing through the Access/Transition to Higher Education route.
Patience, a mother of three who entered higher education while living in Direct Provision, graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Drug and Medicinal Product Analysis and is now employed at Pfizer’s head office in Dublin.
“I could not have afforded university without this support,” she said. “As a single parent there were tough moments, but the lecturers were amazing and support was always there when I needed it. My boys have seen what education can do — it has opened doors for me and inspired them too.”
Khanyile arrived in Ireland as a teenager with her family and was in Direct Provision but they have since got residency here and live now in Castletroy, Limerick.
She has now completed her degree in Social Care Work at TUS and has enrolled in the Master’s in Social Care programme at TUS, while also working with the charity NOVAS.
She said: “I would not have been able to go to university if it wasn’t for Sanctuary and TUS, so I am just so grateful. Whenever I needed help it was always there. For instance, one time my laptop broke and I was able to get one through the Laptop Loan Scheme. Someone was always there looking out for me. I am thrilled now to have graduated and want to do well in my Masters too. The support here meant I could succeed. I’ve made lifelong friends, including through the African Caribbean Society, and have made great memories here.”
President of TUS, Professor Vincent Cunnane, congratulated the graduates, saying, “Patience and Khanyile exemplify the power of education to transform lives. Their achievements reflect our commitment to ensuring opportunity and belonging for all students, and we are immensely proud of them.”
More than 3,800 graduates have recently been conferred across the university’s Moylish and Athlone campuses.
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