Queen’s an official Sanctuary in its 180th Anniversary Year
Queen’s University Belfast has officially been recognised as a University of Sanctuary, through its facilitated support it provides to local refugee, asylum-seeker and migrant communities, and the enhanced opportunities to access higher education.
The award status comes as the University officially launched its 180th anniversary year, hosting a special event with over 250 attendees, celebrating the impact the University has on communities locally, nationally and internationally.
Maram Alissa, a 23-year-old Architecture student at Queen’s, first fled war-torn Syria for Turkey before settling in Northern Ireland in 2016. She said of her experience:
“The language barrier in school was a challenge. I sat my GCSEs trying to figure out Shakespeare with Google Translate. Many people avoided me because I wore my hijab which was different and unfamiliar to them. But amidst these struggles, there were school staff who saw my potential and reminded me of my capabilities.
“Being accepted to Queen’s was the happiest day of my life. It wasn’t just an acceptance letter, but proof that I had built my future despite every obstacle. I’ve loved the vibrant and welcoming campus atmosphere at university. I’m due to graduate this year which will be a really proud day, and a reminder that hardships are not what define me; what does, is the resilience, determination, and hope I found to overcome them.”
Speaking of the achievement, Queen’s President and Vice Chancellor, Professor Sir Ian Greer, said:
“We are immensely proud to have been recognised as a University of Sanctuary. This milestone is a testament to the ongoing dedication of our staff and students who have worked to ensure Queen’s is a place of welcome, opportunity, and inclusion.
“As we celebrate 180 years of Queen’s, we reaffirm our commitment to building a diverse, compassionate community that supports those who seek sanctuary. Our partnerships and outreach efforts reflect our belief that education should be accessible and empowering for all, regardless of background or circumstance.”
Queen’s pledged to seek official University of Sanctuary status in June 2024. Since then, the University has undertaken a wide-ranging review of its existing work in this area, coordinating and aligning the efforts of academics, staff and students with the wider Sanctuary initiative.
Building upon its well-established partnership with Belfast City of Sanctuary, the University now provides a range of initiatives under its Sanctuary movement, and now hosts weekly Sanctuary Coffee Mornings on campus, offering a safe and welcoming space to foster connection and community.
Support has also been enhanced for academics, scholars, and students who have relocated to Northern Ireland as a result of forced displacement, and the University continues to build on its outreach with minority ethnic, asylum-seeker and refugee groups, holding regular consultations to ensure the voices of these communities are reflected in institutional priorities.
The initiative further endorses Belfast’s City of Sanctuary status, passed as a Belfast City Council motion in April 2022.
Welcoming the University’s award status, Israel Eguaogie from Belfast City of Sanctuary said:
“Queen’s achieving Sanctuary is a huge step for the university and the city. My own wife graduated from here in 2019, and the encouragement she received was incredible.
“Achieving the official recognition status sends a powerful message that Belfast and its public spaces is a place where people seeking sanctuary can feel supported and thrive.”
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For media enquiries contact alana.fisher@qub.ac.uk