Empowering Futures: The Transformative Journey of DAFI Students

The Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative (Deutsche Akademische Flüchtlingsinitiative Albert Einstein, DAFI) scholarship programme by UNHCR, is designed to help refugees access higher education. Over its 32-year history, DAFI has assisted more than 26,300 students in 59 countries, providing financial support and fostering self-reliance and integration into society.
In Slovakia, DAFI has played a pivotal role in supporting refugee students, helping them overcome barriers to education and empowering them to build better futures. The 2023 DAFI Annual Report highlights how the programme has evolved beyond scholarships to support sustainable livelihoods and community integration.

DAFI has made a significant impact on the lives of students like Anna and Varvara. Anna, from Pereiaslav in central Ukraine, is a second-year Business Management student at the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra. With the support of a DAFI scholarship, she is set to begin an internship in Bratislava at a major logistics and industrial real estate company. Anna is eager to gain practical experience and explore her interests in international management, with aspirations to continue her studies at the master's level. Get inspired by her message to others is clear: never give up and pursue your dreams with determination.
Varvara, from Kramatorsk in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, is a first-year Dance Arts student at the Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava. Her studies focus on dance for children and youth, emphasizing the importance of cultural education as a tool for societal improvement. Varvara believes that art serves as a bridge for multicultural understanding and is committed to expanding her knowledge in dance, arts, and pedagogy.
Through the DAFI programme, both Anna and Varvara are not only advancing their education but also contributing to the cultural and economic fabric of Slovakia. Their stories highlight the transformative potential of education and the importance of supporting refugee students in their academic and professional journeys.