GRADUATION 13
Winter Graduation 2018
In January Keele welcomed graduands
and their families and friends to campus for
a wonderful day of graduation ceremonies.
Take a look back at the Winter Graduation
event on our official blog where you can read
prizewinner stories and student interviews,
along with pictures and videos on Facebook
and Twitter. Official blog: blogs.keele.ac.uk
Sanctuary Scholarship
student graduates
from Keele University
S
tudent Cynthia Ariana who received
a full scholarship under the Article 26
asylum seeker project graduated from
Keele University in January.
Article 26 supports asylum seekers and forced
migrants who wish to attend higher education
in the UK but are unable to access funding
via traditional routes.
Cynthia, 22, originally from Kenya, applied
to study Psychology with Sociology at Keele
University in 2014 through Article 26 and
was awarded a full three-year scholarship.
Cynthia said: “My time at Keele was amazing,
despite everything that was going on at
home the support I received at Keele helped
me to focus on my education. I made great
memories, and met some of my best friends.
“I was also introduced to many people in my
situation which made me realise I was not
the only one affected. I also received further
support from Keele University’s Student
Services team with my visa renewal and with
a hardship fund award after facing a setback.”
Cynthia now lives in Essex and is working as
part of an Adult Health Team within a local
council, and plans on going back to university
to undertake a postgraduate degree in
developmental or educational psychology.
Speaking about her experience with Article
26, she said: “For me the process was very
straightforward. I contacted Keele University
to find out if there were any available places,
and later went for my interview. Everyone
was very friendly and understanding – for
once I felt like someone wanted to help me.
The interview was a way for the panel to
understand my situation and the barriers
I have faced accessing education and what
I did to overcome them.
“For anyone thinking of applying I would
advise them to go for it. It is an amazing
and life-changing opportunity that has been
set up by a very supportive team, that believe
in your ability and they understand how hard
it can be when facing a difficult situation.
“Everyone at Keele was very supportive
in encouraging me to succeed in my
education. If I had any immigration problems
there was an advisor there to make the
process easier too.”
For more information about Keele University’s
work with the Article 26 project please visit
www.keele.ac.uk/asylumseekers