Nadin and Iona join Education Beyond Borders

Originally from Syria, Nadin has called Edinburgh home for 16 years, holding dual Syrian and British nationalities. She holds a Master's in Intercultural Business Communication and TESOL and has extensive experience in fostering cultural understanding and integration, particularly between Scottish and Syrian communities.

As the newly appointed Education Beyond Borders Manager, Nadin oversees the development and implementation of the programme, managing the At-Risk Scholar and Displaced Student Scholarship programmes. Her role involves writing operational plans and collaborating with university colleagues and partners to support students academically, professionally, and interpersonally.

Nadin's five-year tenure at the university, coupled with personal experiences, has reinforced her belief in education as a fundamental right:

Nadin originally joined the University as Outreach and Projects Coordinator at the Alwaleed Centre. Drawing on her passion and personal experiences, and with great support from the centre and her colleagues, Nadin established the Syrian Futures project aimed at facilitating access to higher education, employment, and self-development for Syrian asylum seekers and refugees.

She adds, “Additionally, I contribute to the Refugee Operational and Advisory Group, where I am proud of our collective achievements in securing funding and establishing comprehensive support systems at the University.”

Iona comes from a small town in the middle of Scotland and has spent much of her adult life in Glasgow. She recently joined Edinburgh Global as the Education Beyond Borders Coordinator, a role that allows her to support people from displaced backgrounds and increase access to higher education.

As the point of contact for students on the programme, Iona manages the day-to-day operational aspects, including planning events and support for incoming students. Her aspirations for the role focus on providing holistic support that considers students' wellbeing, ensuring they have access to university resources and are connected to supportive communities in Edinburgh. She aims to learn from this year’s work and evolve the programme for future cohorts.

Iona’s academic background includes an undergraduate degree in English literature at University of Glasgow. Whilst there, she was on a couple committees which raised funds for third sector organisations. It was through working with these organisations that Iona developed an interest in advocating for human rights.

She explains, “Following some time teaching English in Costa Rica, I then went on to study for my Master’s in Human Rights and International Politics also at Glasgow. For my Master’s dissertation I engaged with community organisations who supported displaced people in Glasgow. I hoped to understand what the role of these community groups was in fostering a sense of belonging, discovering that they play a huge part in integration, wellbeing and community for migrants in Scotland.”

Iona has worked extensively with community organisations supporting displaced people in Glasgow, understanding their role in fostering belonging and integration. Additionally, her experience at Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland as a Project Manager/Trusts & Foundations Manager provided her with insights into supporting vulnerable people and advocating for human rights.

Iona is looking forward to welcoming the September cohort and is planning a welcome event, coffee and cake sessions, talks, and engaging the students in a variety of activities across the University. She says, “I have really enjoyed joining Edinburgh Global which is full of really friendly people who are always there to help.”

The Education Beyond Borders programme is the culmination of years of hard work by dedicated colleagues to provide practical support for displaced students and academics. This initiative aligns with the university’s status as a University of Sanctuary and its commitment to addressing the education gap experienced by displaced individuals.

Nadin and Iona describe the programme as a model of inclusive education that addresses global challenges and promotes equity.

They aim to expand its reach, support more at-risk scholars and displaced students, secure additional funding, and develop partnerships to enhance student opportunities and continue to foster intercultural understanding and collaboration.