STUDENTS Armel Ntwari (23) and Sabab Asfaque (18) embody that notion that dreams can come true.
The young immigrants from Burundi and Bangladesh respectively are currently studying at UCD, having attained scholarships providing non-EU citizens with financial support to access education.
The Bank of Ireland UCD New Irish Scholarship Scheme targets individuals who face significant economic obstacles to entering university, and some €5,000 is provided per annum for the duration of the students’ studies.
Ntwari, who is now taking an arts degree at UCD, came to Ireland alone in 2003, completing transition year at O’Connell’s School in Dublin before doing his Leaving Certificate at St Tiernan’s on the southside.
He recalls: “I did my Leaving Certificate in 2006. I did all right considering the language factor and some other things, and got 370 points.”
A four-year wait for a decision on his residency application resulted in Ntwari being unable to work or access further education until 2009, a period he describes as “frustrating” but which he filled through volunteering activities.
But when his status was finalised, things began to fall into place for the Burundian man.
“I heard about the [New Irish] scholarship in 2009 – I actually read about it in Metro Éireann,” he says. “I think the deadline was that May and I applied straight away. I then heard I’d been shortlisted, and got confirmation in August.”
He was “delighted” to be selected for the prestigious award, describing it as “a dream come true”.
Ntwari is now studying computer science and economics at the top Dublin university.
“The course began in September and it’s gone very well,” he says. “I’d say it’s challenging rather than hard, there’s a good bit of work in it. But I did well in the first semester.”
The Burundian was already working – “fully supporting myself” – when he got the award, and now works part-time in order to cover all his expenses.
Regarding his future ambitions, he says: “First, to graduate with flying colours; then get a computer-related job in Ireland. When I’m working for a few years, eventually I’d like to have my own business.”
Sabab Asfaque from Bangladesh is another immigrant benefiting from the scholarship scheme, currently undertaking acturial and financial studies at UCD. He moved to Ireland five years ago with his family, and heard of the scheme in his Leaving Cert year.
From a family with a low income, Asfaque says accessing third level – where non-EU nationals pay several thousand euro per year in fees – would not have been possible but for the scholarship.
He began his studies last autumn and remarks: “I love it, I’m meeting loads of people and hopefully my job prospects will be good.”
At this point, Asfaque has earmarked a career in insurance.
The Bank of Ireland UCD New Irish Scholarship Scheme has had some 83 applicants over the past three years, with 12 places awarded.
Recipients so far hail from Bangladesh, South Africa, Nigeria, Pakistan, Gambia, China, Burundi, Egypt, Kazakhstan and the Philippines, and have entered studies from microbiology to economics and theatre.
By date of entry into UCD, applicants must have been resident in Ireland for a minimum of three years and be legally entitled to remain based on either Irish naturalisation, refugee status, humanitarian leave or leave to remain, or be holders of a work permit for the past three years.
Closing date for applications is 3pm on Tuesday 13 April 2010.
For further information visit ucd.ie/newirishscholarships.
