SETU’s Second Annual President’s Sanctuary Scholars Lunch was held at the Kilkenny Road campus in Carlow.
The event brought together Sanctuary Scholars, staff, and university representatives to celebrate the ongoing success of the Sanctuary Scholarships initiative, which supports students from refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds in accessing and progressing through higher education. The programme forms part of SETU’s commitment as a University of Sanctuary.
The afternoon provided a warm and welcoming opportunity for scholars to reconnect, share experiences and celebrate their achievements.
The event formally began with remarks from Dr Allison Kenneally, Vice President for Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, and was followed by three of the Sanctuary Scholars, who shared reflections on their experiences and journeys within the programme.
"Today's lunch provided an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our Sanctuary Scholars and the positive contribution they make to the SETU community. We remain committed to ensuring that those seeking sanctuary are welcomed, supported, and given every opportunity to succeed in higher education."
Dr Allison Keneally Vice President of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, SETU
It was acknowledged during the afternoon that many refugees continue to face significant barriers in accessing education. SETU reaffirmed its commitment to addressing these challenges and to ensuring the university remains a place of sanctuary, hope, and opportunity for refugee communities in the region.
The event also carried a broader message of solidarity, recognising the global challenges faced by refugee communities. It highlighted the vital role of education in fostering inclusion, supporting integration, and creating opportunities.
Overall, the lunch offered a meaningful opportunity to reflect on shared progress, celebrate achievements, and reaffirm SETU’s commitment to the ongoing development of the Sanctuary Scholars programme.