“It made me dream again”: Students affected by displacement in Sudan keep their dreams alive through higher education
“It made me dream again”: Students affected by displacement in Sudan keep their dreams alive through higher education
Sarah works as a kindergarten teacher and hopes to establish her own school for children to learn.
For many young people affected by displacement in Sudan, the path to higher education has become an increasingly difficult journey. Millions of children and young people have had their education disrupted, while access to higher education remains extremely limited; a distant aspiration for a generation determined not to give up on their future.
However, a silver lining emerges. Since 2025, the UNHCR–Mastercard Foundation partnership has enabled refugee and internally displaced students to access higher education through the Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative (DAFI) scholarship programme, implemented with Windle Trust International. Through the programme, displaced students are developing new skills and pursuing their academic and professional ambitions.
Beyond covering tuition and academic fees, the programme also provides students with monthly financial assistance to help cover living and study-related expenses, as well as mentoring, leadership development, and opportunities to connect with peers, helping them remain enrolled, build confidence, and prepare for the future.
For Sarah Tekhlu, an Eritrean refugee displaced from Khartoum to Madani and later Port Sudan, the scholarship became a turning point, restoring her confidence and helping her continue her Information Management degree at Comboni College.
"I was about to surrender to the idea that higher education was not necessary because I could not attend college," Sarah says.
"It gave me hope that I can dream and I can fulfil my big dream to attend college."
For many young women affected by displacement, financial hardship, insecurity and social pressures compound the barriers to higher education. The scholarship gave Sarah not only the financial means to stay in school but also renewed confidence in her own abilities.
"The biggest part is financial support. Also, it gives me psychological support. It made me believe in myself again. It made me dream again."
For Azhari Ibrahim, a Sudanese student in Port Sudan who was displaced from North Darfur State, completing his Civil Engineering degree at the University of Kordofan required determination as well as support. Through the UNHCR–Mastercard Foundation partnership, he was able to continue his studies despite the disruption caused by the conflict.
Azhari uses his knowledge in Civil Engineering after pursuing his degree at the University of Kordofan.
"Maybe I would finish my university, but I would face so many challenges without the scholarship," he says.
For Azhari, the programme provided more than financial assistance.
"The scholarship helped me in so many aspects, community support and psychological support, because I found someone nearby me."
The higher education experience extends beyond the classroom. Through workshops and peer-learning initiatives, students develop leadership skills while helping other young people navigate university admission processes, scholarship opportunities and pathways to higher education.
In May 2026, as part of the UNHCR–Mastercard Foundation partnership, UNHCR and Windle Trust International convened an Each One Teach One (EOTO) workshop in Port Sudan. The workshop brought together 25 refugee and internally displaced students, including Sarah and Azhari, to discuss barriers to higher education and identify practical ways to expand access to information and educational opportunities.
"Every workshop I went to, I came out stronger, full of dreams and more dreams," Sarah says.
Through the EOTO initiative, students become advocates for education within their communities, sharing information about scholarships, university admission processes, and available opportunities with others facing similar challenges.
"There are so many people like me who need support," says Azhari.
"Students in Sudan are suffering. They need support at all levels, community support, economic support, and psychological support."
The programme also promotes greater inclusion of refugees. Through UNHCR's advocacy and engagement with financial service providers, refugee students were able to access formal banking services to safely receive their scholarships, an important step towards greater financial inclusion for displaced young people in Sudan.
"Don’t try to stop your learning. Be strong and patient to fulfill all your hopes and dreams."
Despite the immense challenges facing Sudan, both Sarah and Azhari believe education remains one of the strongest foundations for recovery and a better future.
“Education is important, especially for Sudanese. It will help them rebuild their community,” Sarah says.
For both students, peace remains essential for Sudan’s recovery and for allowing young people to pursue their dreams. “Peace is the only solution,” Sarah says. “If there is no peace, we cannot build anything else.”
Azhari also hopes for a Sudan where peace, stability, and opportunity allow communities to recover and young people to continue their education and contribute to rebuilding their country.
“Life will not stop,” Azhari says. “Don’t try to stop your learning and don’t try to stop your study. You have to engage, become strong, and patient to fulfill all your hopes and dreams.”
Alongside her studies, Sarah works as a kindergarten teacher and hopes to establish her own school one day, creating opportunities for children to learn.
"I love working with kids. I hope one day I will have my own school."
For Azhari, completing his degree is also about giving back, using his education and skills to contribute to rebuilding communities affected by conflict.
Education helps rebuild
In 2025, the UNHCR–Mastercard Foundation partnership supported nearly 400 refugee and internally displaced students to pursue higher education in Sudan, including 70 refugee students through the DAFI scholarship programme and 324 refugee and internally displaced students through the Urban Programme. Building on this progress, the partnership plans to support 175 refugee students through DAFI scholarships in 2026, expanding opportunities for displaced young people to continue their education, develop leadership skills and contribute to rebuilding their communities despite the ongoing conflict.
At a time when Sudan’s education system faces unprecedented challenges, investing in higher education ensures that conflict and displacement do not define young people’s futures. Instead, it gives a generation the knowledge, confidence and opportunities to rebuild their lives, strengthen their communities and contribute to Sudan’s recovery.
Since conflict erupted in April 2023, more than 14 million people have been forced to flee their homes, making Sudan the world’s largest displacement crisis.
