Celebrating the Student Refugee Program Graduating Class of 2026!
Every year, a new cohort of students walks onto campuses across Canada, bringing with them a wave of energy and ambition. Among them is a remarkable group of young people whose path to postsecondary education represents a profound testament to overcoming adversity and forced displacement.
Through WUSC’s Student Refugee Program (SRP), these graduates have spent their university years proving what happens when brilliant young minds are given the opportunity to learn, contribute, and thrive without barriers. They have stepped up as community leaders, student mentors, and advocates, leaving a mark on the institutions and communities that welcomed them.
We are thrilled to highlight some of the members of the SRP Class of 2026.
Meet the Graduates
Mirwais Morrady
Forced to flee to Pakistan for safety, Mirwais left everything except for his documents and an unyielding determination to move forward. It was there that he learned about WUSC’s SRP.
“I read through blogs and testimonials from students who had walked the same path, and something shifted inside me,” he says. “For the first time in a long while, I could see myself in their stories. I could see a future, in Canada, in a classroom, building something real.”
His acceptance into the program marked the beginning of a new chapter. Upon arriving in Canada, he was greeted by members of his WUSC Local Committee, whose warm smiles immediately eased his transition. These Local Committees are campus-based volunteer groups that sponsor refugee students to come to Canada, welcome and support them upon arrival. “I felt, for the first time in a long time, that I was exactly where I was supposed to be,” he explains. “Those strangers became my closest friends. That campus became my home.”
While pursuing his studies in Computer Science at Queen’s University, he served as co-leader of the Afghan Students Club and volunteered with the Queen’s University International Centre to mentor international students.
Mirwais also joined his Local Committee to welcome new refugee students, sharing his own experiences to help them adjust to life in Canada. “I wanted them to feel what I felt on my first day: that they were not alone, that Canada was welcoming them, and that people genuinely cared,” he explains.
One of his most memorable experiences was officially becoming a Canadian citizen. “Holding a Canadian passport is not just a travel document to me; it is a testament to resilience, to hope, and to the extraordinary generosity of this country,” he says.
Now a graduate working towards a career in cybersecurity, his advice to new students is to build strong networks. “Each connection is a lesson, an opportunity, a door you did not know existed,” he says.
Monica Ayuen Dot
Growing up as a refugee in Uganda, Monica watched her family work tirelessly to keep her in school. For her, the SRP was an opportunity to create a better future for herself and her family. “The SRP felt like a doorway to a future I never imagined possible, a chance to grow, to learn, and to finally build a life beyond survival,” she explains.
Monica studied Neuroscience at the University of Winnipeg. During her studies, she was actively involved on campus, which helped her build friendships and feel at home. She also served as Co-Chair of her Local Committee.
After graduation, she plans to continue growing her career in neuroscience research. She recently received a SSHRC award to conduct research with a professor during the summer. Her goal is to eventually work in healthcare and in academia. A highlight of her time in Canada so far was travelling across the country, allowing her to experience its vast beauty and diversity. Her advice to new students is to ask for help and be open to new experiences.
Monica credits the strong relationships she has built while living in Winnipeg. “I am who I am today because the WUSC community saw me, gave me a chance, and the Winnipeg community nurtured my abilities,” she says.
Ajith Giet
For Ajith, the SRP offered something unique: the chance to pursue postsecondary education and a pathway to permanent residence upon arrival. Applying to the SRP was one of the most pivotal decisions of his life.
Driven by a passion for technology, Ajith moved to Canada to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science at the University of Saskatchewan. Beyond his rigorous coursework, he immersed himself in campus life by participating in the University of Saskatchewan Debate Society and volunteering with the WUSC Local Committee as a mentor and later as a coordinator to support incoming students.
Following graduation, Ajith is set to launch a career as a Software Developer specializing in AI Engineering. He credits his success to the supportive network of mentors, volunteers, and friends who guided him during his studies. “These achievements are not just a personal success story,” he says, emphasizing the transformative power of education and the impact of the SRP. “These demonstrate what can happen when refugee students are given the opportunity to learn, contribute, and reach their full potential!”
Mohammad Alnatour
Living in Lebanon, Mohammad dreamed of becoming a doctor, but systemic barriers left him unable to continue his education. That changed when he discovered the SRP. When he was accepted into the program, “I felt that I had one more shot at achieving this dream, so I gave it my all,” he explains.
Determined to turn his dream into reality, Mohammad studied Anatomy and Cell Biology at McGill University. His time on campus was defined by leadership and service. He volunteered at the Montreal Neurological Clinic, co-founded and led the Syrian Students’ Union in Canada, and held multiple leadership roles within his WUSC Local Committee.
Driven by a desire to pay it forward, Mohammad successfully campaigned for increased funding to expand the SRP. Thanks to these efforts, McGill University will be able to welcome 18 additional students, for a total of 50 students over the next five years.
For Mohammad, his ultimate highlight was his convocation ceremony, a culmination of the obstacles he overcame to receive his diploma. Now a graduate, he is focusing on his next milestone: entering graduate studies to continue his journey into medicine.
Djafari Francis Mayanga
For Francis, education was the dream that kept him moving forward during his years in the Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Malawi. “As a refugee, I believed that education could open doors not only for me but also for others in my community,” he explains. His path to the SRP was defined by perseverance; he applied multiple times before he was selected.
To bridge his interest in human rights and technology, Francis moved to Canada to pursue a Double DEC that combined Social Sciences (Global Challenges and Human Rights) and Computer Science at Cegep Limoilou. This interdisciplinary path allowed him to take courses on human rights and social justice while building the technical skills needed to solve complex, real-world problems.
Beyond his studies, Francis found a vital support system through his WUSC Local Committee. A highlight from his time in Canada was when he became President of the Student Forum at the National Assembly of Quebec, where he had the opportunity to represent students from across the province.
Now looking ahead, Francis plans to pursue a Master of Engineering Management at the University of Ottawa. His ultimate goal is to build a career at the intersection of technology and social impact, creating initiatives that promote innovation and education in underserved communities. As he prepares to take the next step in his journey, he reflects on how the friendships he made and the support he received along the way helped him grow. “These experiences have helped shape both the person and the student I am today,” he says.
Congratulations to the Class of 2026! Your brilliance and leadership inspire us all. We are excited to see what you will achieve next.
Support Future Graduates on Their Educational Journeys
The graduates featured here have forged their own remarkable journeys through resilience, determination, and hard work. WUSC donors play a crucial role in making those journeys possible. The sustained support of people like you strengthens opportunities like the SRP to give even more refugee students the chance to pursue their academic goals and further contribute to their communities.
Become a WUSC donor today, and ensure that every young person has the support they need to write their own success story.