“Life-changing” is how Iranian couple Merhdad Lashgari and Elham Mohammadi describe their experience at DCU as part of its University of Sanctuary programme. 

The couple, who came to Ireland as international protection applicants, both received master’s degrees on Friday at the University’s Spring Graduation ceremony in The Helix. Elham graduated with an MSc in Bioprocess Engineering, while Mehrdad received an MSc in Climate Change: Policy, Media and Society.

Jenny Earley’s career path had taken some unexpected turns before she found herself taking on DCU’s MSc in Health and Social Inclusion. 

She works as a social worker in the GUIDE sexual health clinic at St James’s Hospital in Dublin. Originally she imagined herself working abroad, having completed the MA in International Relations at DCU.

From a young age, Erin, from Co. Sligo, wanted to be a journalist. She was diagnosed with hearing loss at the age of nine and used hearing aids, but Erin didn’t see this as an obstacle. “You know, I never let that pull me back from pursuing an education or a career in journalism.”

However, when she got onto DCU’s BA in Journalism in 2008, things didn’t go smoothly. “I was getting headaches, and I couldn't keep up with lectures, and I told myself that I just wasn't cut out for third-level education.”