On International Youth Day, One Refugee's Journey Inspires Hope for a Generation
On International Youth Day, One Refugee's Journey Inspires Hope for a Generation
Abdul Hafez, 18, arrives in the Philippines as a Complementary Pathways scholar after spending nearly half his life in the refugee camps of Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. Originally from Myanmar's Rakhine State, he hopes to use education to create opportunities for other displaced youth and inspire his community to pursue their dreams.
Abdul Hafez's journey began in a small village in Myanmar's Rakhine State. In 2017, violence and conflict forced his family to flee their home and seek safety in neighboring Bangladesh. Now 18, Abdul has spent nearly half his life in the refugee camps of Cox's Bazar, where efforts to expand educational opportunities can help young Rohingya refugees realize their aspirations and contribute positively to their communities.
On 4 August 2026, those dreams took flight.
As Abdul arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, he stepped into a new chapter as the 28th Complementary Pathways (CPath) scholar. Soon, he will begin his studies at Saint Louis University (SLU) in Baguio City, carrying with him not only his own aspirations, but also the hopes of countless young refugees who continue to face barriers to education.
Abdul Hafez collects his luggage upon arrival at Ninoy Aquino International Airport on 4 August 2026, marking the start of a new chapter in the Philippines as a Complementary Pathways scholar. After years of displacement, he now carries with him hopes for higher education, opportunity, and a brighter future.
Representatives from UNHCR, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Department of Justice's Refugees and Stateless Persons Protection Unit (DOJ-RSPPU), and Pathways Pilipinas accompany Abdul Faez to the airport lounge for a welcome orientation, marking the beginning of his academic journey in the Philippines as a Complementary Pathways scholar.
UNHCR greets Abdul Hafez upon his arrival at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, welcoming him to the Philippines and checking on his journey from Bangladesh. The warm exchange marks the start of a new chapter as Abdul begins his academic journey as a Complementary Pathways scholar, carrying with him hopes for education, opportunity, and a brighter future.
Caught in a lighthearted moment, representatives from UNHCR, DFA, DOJ-RSPPU, Bureau of Immigration and Saint Louis University, Pathways Pilipinas member and host institution, share smiles and conversation with Abdul Hafez shortly after his arrival in the Philippines.
In a brief airport orientation, Abdul Hafez listens attentively as representatives from DFA and DOJ-RSPPU share practical information and welcoming remarks, helping him settle into the next chapter of his educational journey in the Philippines.
With smiles and warm greetings, representative of St. Louis University-Baguio welcomes Abdul Hafez, whose journey reflects the transformative power of education and opportunity.
For Abdul, the opportunity is both humbling and life-changing. Selected through the CPath Programme, he is the first Rohingya student to receive the Institute of International Education (IIE) Odyssey Scholarship in the Philippines, a global higher education scholarship programme that supports refugees and other forcibly displaced students. This year, he is joined by six other scholars whose studies are supported through the voluntary contribution of the Government of the Philippines under the ‘Learning Without Borders’ initiative. Yet despite this remarkable achievement, Abdul remains focused on those who are still waiting for their chance to pursue higher education and fulfill their aspirations.
“Believe in yourself, keep working hard, and stay committed to your goals,” Abdul reflects. “Opportunities can come in many ways, and perseverance can open doors to a brighter future.”
As the world marks International Youth Day, Abdul's story is a powerful reminder that young people thrive when given the opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute to their communities. What carried him from a refugee camp to a university classroom was not only determination, but also the support of people and institutions that believed in his potential.
Abdul speaks warmly of the Philippines, a country he has long associated with kindness and hospitality. Even before arriving, he was inspired by the generosity of Filipinos. Now, he is excited to immerse himself in the culture, build new friendships, and pursue his studies in a place he hopes to call home during the next chapter of his life.
Grateful to UNHCR in Bangladesh and the Philippines, the Government of the Philippines through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Justice's Refugees and Stateless Persons Protection Unit (DOJ-RSPPU), IIE Odyssey Scholarship, as well as Pathways Pilipinas, Saint Louis University, and all those who supported his journey, Abdul is determined to give back. He hopes his education will empower him to advocate for the forcibly displaced communities, proving that refugees are defined not by the hardships they have faced, but by the potential they possess and the contributions they can make.
More than a scholarship programme, Complementary Pathways creates opportunities for refugee students to continue their education, develop their potential, and build meaningful futures in welcoming communities.
As Abdul begins his studies in the Philippines, his journey reflects the power of education to transform lives. Backed by IIE Odyssey Scholarship, stories like his show that investing in refugee youth is investing in a future where hope, opportunity, and potential know no borders.
This International Youth Day, Abdul's story is more than a story of survival. It is a story of hope. It is a reminder that when refugee youth are given access to education and opportunity, they do not simply rebuild their own futures, they help build a better future for everyone.
