Eight Years of Hope and Determination
Eight Years of Hope and Determination
Anwar smiles as he prepares for a new chapter, holding his travel document issued by the Government of the Philippines and standing with his luggage in the official Complementary Pathways Scholar shirt. After years of displacement and determination, his journey reflects the power of education, opportunity, and hope.
At 24, Anwar has arrived in the Philippines on 29 September 2026 as the 32nd scholar under the Complementary Pathways (CPath) Programme. The Programme is led by the Government of the Philippines through the Department of Justice–Refugees and Stateless Persons Protection Unit (DOJ-RSPPU), with support from UNHCR, in collaboration with various government agencies and participating academic institutions, and with funding support from the Department of Foreign Affairs.
His arrival marks the beginning of a new chapter, transforming a long-held dream that once seemed beyond reach into a reality filled with opportunity and hope.
When Anwar first arrived in Bangladesh, the future felt uncertain. Displaced from his home and confronted with limited opportunities, he faced many of the challenges common among refugee youth. Yet even in the face of uncertainty, he remained steadfast in pursuing his dream of education.
"When I first arrived in Bangladesh, I was confused and uncertain about what would come next," Anwar recalls. "But I never gave up on my dream."
While access to formal education remained out of reach for many Rohingya refugees, Anwar sought every opportunity to continue learning. He worked with several organizations, including the Community Development Center (CODEC), where he served as a Master Trainer under a UNICEF-supported programme. For him, learning extended far beyond the classroom, and experience itself became a powerful teacher.
Driven by an unwavering commitment to personal growth, Anwar later enrolled in an online Computer Science programme and joined the Realizing Higher Education Access Program (RhEAP), co-led by Bard College and the BRAC University Centre for Peace and Justice (CPJ) in partnership with UNHCR Bangladesh. As a facilitator with the programme, he helped support fellow learners while expanding his own academic and professional horizons.
It was during his time with RhEAP that he learned of a UNHCR-supported opportunity for refugee students to pursue higher education in the Philippines. Recognizing it as a chance to take the next step toward his aspirations, Anwar seized the opportunity without hesitation and submitted his application, setting in motion a journey that would bring him closer to achieving his dreams.
A moment of arrival as Anwar collects his luggage and prepares for the next stage of his journey
Anwar joins representatives from the Complementary Pathways programme, including partners from DOJ-RSPPU, DFA, UNHCR, De La Salle University, and Saint Louis University-Baguio, celebrating a shared commitment to expanding education opportunities and durable solutions for refugees.
UNHCR warmly welcomes Anwar as the 33rd Complementary Pathways Scholar, celebrating the start of a new academic journey made possible through the collective efforts of government, university, and humanitarian partners.
Despite life in a refugee camp, Anwar never stopped learning. He also volunteered to support the education of young refugees in Cox's Bazar, helping others pursue the same hope he carried for himself.
Months later, after a long period of waiting and uncertainty, Anwar received the news that would change his life: he had been accepted to study at Saint Louis University in Baguio City.
"I was walking by a riverbank when I received the email," he says. "I almost couldn't believe it."
For Anwar, the scholarship represents far more than an educational opportunity. It is a chance to rebuild a future that once felt closed off. "In the camp, it felt like every path was blocked," he explains. "This opportunity was like a light at the end of the tunnel. It opened a door for me."
As the eldest of six siblings, Anwar carries both responsibility and hope for his family. He has been admitted to a Bachelor of Secondary Education programme majoring in Mathematics, a field he chose because of his belief in the transformative power of education. Having worked in education initiatives inside the refugee camp, he sees learning as one of the most powerful tools for strengthening communities and creating lasting change.
But his aspirations extend beyond his own success. Anwar hopes his journey will inspire other displaced young people who may feel their dreams are slipping away.
"I want to help people who are where I once was," he says. "I want to show them that they should not lose hope. If I can become a beacon of guidance for others, then that will be one of my greatest achievements."
As he begins his studies in the Philippines, Anwar sees this milestone not as the end of a journey, but the beginning of one. A journey fueled by purpose, shaped by hope, and driven by a commitment to give back to the communities that continue to dream of a brighter future.
