In collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Duolingo English Test (DET) launched a first-of-its-kind programme to support refugee students in applying to international universities. The DUOLINGO x UNHCR University Access Scholars programme not only facilitates the application process for these aspiring scholars but also assists in navigating the landscape of study visas as they transition to new host countries. This partnership has opened doors for India-based refugee students such as Fauziya, Shaik, and Zabihullah, by providing them opportunities to access quality international education.
Fauziya
Country: Myanmar/India
Despite hailing from a community that often does not foster women’s confidence, 21-year-old Fauziya is bold and enthusiastic and absolutely determined to continue her education through university so that she can use her talents and skills to help others. While facing enormous challenges in an impoverished community as a female student, Fauziya performed exceptionally well throughout high school, earning straight As in her X and XII grade national exams. She scored perfect marks in Physics and in all her science practicals in grade XII and intends to major in Biology/Chemistry/Health Sciences.
Fauziya wants to pursue Science and build a career in the health services. She has extensive volunteer experience within the Rohingya refugee community of Hyderabad, India and is an advocate for girls’ and women’s rights, encouraging families to educate their girls and to seek formal health care. She also works as a tutor and mentor for young Rohingya students and as a translator and advocate when refugees interact with the healthcare system.
A great lover of dance and celebrations of culture, Fauziya helps organise and participates in food festivals, traditional dance recitals, and environment service programmes on a regular basis.
Zabihullah
Country: Afghanistan/India
Zabihullah has an outstanding academic record with an overall 86.6% (A) grade from high school, and particularly strong performance in the languages and ‘hard’ sciences. Those results earned him a place in Delhi University’s competitive Computer Science programme, but as a refugee he was prevented from enrolling; 23-year-old Zabihullah is undecided about what undergraduate major he will pursue abroad, but is keen to explore Chemistry, Computer Science, and entrepreneurship.
Zabihullah serves his community in numerous ways. He works as an English instructor for Diamond Jubilee Trust, where he designs class curriculum and assessments plus advises students on university pathways. He also volunteers extensively within the Ismaili and Afghan refugee communities in Delhi, coordinating numerous youth workshops and skills development programmes throughout the year. Zabihullah would like to continue his teaching and mentoring activities as well as play soccer and join a parkour club when he joins an international university.
Shaik
Country: Myanmar/India
Shaik is an award-winning student who scored straight As on his national exams for X and XII grades, making him a top performer in his school and region.
His interest in Maths and Economics, wide curiosity and hustle make him a natural contender for entrepreneurship, 21-year-old Shaik hopes to pursue related subjects in university. He is also interested in technology and its ability to help underserved communities ‘leapfrog’ into 21st-century. Shaik has extensive experience as a volunteer with MARI and Save the Children, as well as a leader of UDAAN, an advocacy programme which he founded in Hyderabad to encourage Rohingya families to send their children to school. Shaik also organises intramural football tournaments to engage refugee youth from different communities of Hyderabad in collaboration and building teamwork experiences. In addition, he works as a Mathematics teacher and data collector/project monitor for MARI. In university, Shaik hopes to join a soccer club and a choir, and to continue his community service work with recently resettled refugees.