Civil engineer who fled war torn home country first to graduate from UCC refugee scholarship scheme

A civil engineer who moved to Ireland after fleeing the war-torn Democratic Republic of the Congo with his brother has become the first student to graduate from UCC under a scholarship which supports refugees.

After receiving refugee status in Uganda, Kanku Biselele and his brother had no income and were staying at a friend’s house after sleeping on the floor of the refugee centre.

Kanku had a bachelor’s degree, had graduated, and was looking to pursue further education.

“The internet was a lifeline for me,” Kanku told The Echo.

Kanku wanted the chance to leave Uganda and pursue a degree that would eventually give him security, a home, and further opportunities.

He applied to the EU passworld scholarship, which offers refugees in Uganda the opportunity to study for a master’s degree in Ireland.

The scheme provides five students with a full fee waiver, on-campus accommodation, and a stipend for the year, which is provided by community support.

It targets areas of skill shortages in Ireland, and universities are free to select students in disciplines with a high demand for employers.

Life changed

The programme also allows refugee scholars to go directly from graduation to meaningful employment and contribute to the Irish economy.

For Kanku, his life changed when he received the call saying he was accepted as part of the EU passworld scholarship, enabling him to attend UCC.

“I was putting it out there,” Kanku said.

“You feel you had a chance, but then you get rejections, and you lose hope.”

It took four months before Kanku was invited to start in the 2024 academic year.

He remembers the exact date he heard from the co-ordinator of the project, Ruth Hally, for an interview.

“That feeling was overwhelming. I don’t think I’ve ever responded to anything so fast,” he said.

“I had no time to waste, and I said: ‘Yes, I will be there.’

“Because what am I really doing? I’m unemployed, and nothing is going on in my life.

“I have to be there.”

Overwhelming

Kanku said it was “overwhelming” and “daunting” to go through an interview when he had never even used Microsoft Teams before, but Ms Hally made him “feel special”.

“And the rest is history,” he said.

Now, Kanku is the first student to graduate under the Education Pathways Ireland programme with a postgraduate diploma in sustainable energy.

A group of 20 friends and lecturers who Kanku now considers family, including his cousin, arrived on campus to celebrate his graduation, welcoming him with applause and yells.

“I didn’t know all of them were coming, really.

“I didn’t know this was who created this? Who started it, you know?

“Who motivated all of them to come, I don’t know, but you see the numbers, and I’m quite delighted,” said Kanku.

He added that he now feels a sense of belonging, has integrated into Cork, and he will also start learning the Irish language soon.

“I’ve met so many people through this opportunity that came into my life,” he said.

“They’ve become my friends, sisters, parents.”