The University of Regina has welcomed the first three Afghan women students to the city and campus as part of its donor-funded Project Resilience scholarship program.
Left to right: Friba Rezayee, Executive Director, Women Leaders of Tomorrow; Spogmai Hashemi, Master of Public Administration student; Nilofar Naderi, Bachelor of Applied Science student; Tahmeana Khaliqi, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science student.
"It's amazing to see these three courageous women finally here on campus and to learn about their incredible journeys and passion for continuing their education," says Dr. Jeff Keshen, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Regina. "Their strength and resilience sets a strong example for all about the importance of equity, compassion, and global citizenship, values that define our institution."
For Afghan women, pursuing an education past Grade 6 in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan is forbidden. Amid ongoing conflict and the collapse of international scholarship support after funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was suddenly cut, the continued education of Afghan women students studying board has been severely disrupted, and their futures hang in limbo.
When presented with an opportunity to help, the U of R revitalized its Project Resilience scholarship funding program, which was established in 2022, and stepped forward as a place of learning, opportunity, and refuge to help ensure that Afghan women students can remain safe and stable while pursuing their studies.
"We have been dealing with uncertainty for the past year, and now, it is so good for us to have this opportunity," says Nilofar Naderi, who is working toward a Bachelor of Applied Science. "Now, I want to show other Afghan girls that they are capable of doing anything that they want - trust yourself and your ability to succeed."
None of this would be possible without the tremendous support of donors and the partnership with Women Leaders of Tomorrow (WLOT), a Canadian non-profit based in British Columbia that coordinated efforts to bring the Afghan women to Regina. Led by Friba Rezayee, WLOT has been instrumental in identifying the students who are in desperate need of support to continue their education and providing vital assistance for their student visa applications and travel to Canada.
"Being able to bring these students to the University of Regina after almost a year of working with them really hard is very special to me - it's like Christmas came early," says Friba Rezayee, Executive Director of WLOT, who came to Canada as an adult and a refugee in 2011 after the Taliban took over Afghanistan. "We are giving them not only access to education but the freedom to study, to read, to be able to exercise their human rights, and to realize their biggest dream of being able to study in a free country like Canada."
The response from donors has been overwhelmingly positive and compassionate.
"We have received donations from across Canada, the US, and even as far away as Rome," says Marc Butikofer, Executive Director of University Advancement. "In just three short months, the campaign has surpassed its initial fundraising goal of $500,000 and raised more than $815,000 to support Afghan women students."
This incredible momentum allows the University room to support more Afghan women students who remain at risk and in urgent need of educational paths to safety. Another three students are currently in the visa processing stage, and the University of Regina remains hopeful that they will arrive in time to begin their studies alongside the first three students in January 2026.
The U of R's Philanthropy team continues to accept donations to Project Resilience. For more information or to donate to the scholarship visit https://www.uregina.ca/alumni-and-friends/giving/community/project-resilience.html.
Additional Quotes
"We have been dealing with uncertainty for the past year, and now, it is so good for us to have this opportunity. Now, I want to show other Afghan girls that they are capable of doing anything that they want - trust yourself and your ability to succeed!"
Nilofar Naderi (Bachelor of Applied Science)
"Saying Thank you' does not even begin to express what we really feel in our hearts right now. Everyone who has donated to Project Resilience is changing people's lives. It is more than just an education for us."
Spogmai Hashemi (Master of Public Administration, Johnson Shoyama Graduate School)
"Now that I have arrived in Regina, my goal is to study hard, and receive my Bachelor's degree. I would really like to thank Friba, as well as the Project Resilience donors, for giving us this opportunity."
Tahmeana Khaliqi (Bachelor of Science in Computer Science)
