Celebrating the DAFI Graduation and Recognition Event 2026, Iraq

On 23 September 2026, UNHCR, in partnership with SSDF, held the DAFI Refugee Scholarship Graduation and Recognition Event 2026 at the Dedeman Hotel, Erbil, Iraq.
The ceremony celebrated refugee scholars from Erbil, Duhok, Sulaymaniyah, and Baghdad who have completed their higher education with support from the Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative (DAFI) Scholarship Programme.
Nearly 150 participants joined the celebration, including representatives of the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government, the Ministry of Higher Education and the Ministry of Education, universities, UN agencies, and international and local NGOs, JCC, BCF, DNGO, and the media.
🌟 In line with DAFI's commitment to student leadership, the ceremony was planned and hosted by the graduating scholars themselves. Graduates served as Masters of Ceremonies, with support from SSDF and UNHCR.
Our journey with DAFI

Since June 2024, SSDF has worked with UNHCR to implement the DAFI programme in Iraq, supporting 97 DAFI scholars at 19 universities in Erbil, Duhok, Sulaymaniyah, and Baghdad.
Our team provides academic follow-up, counselling, tuition fees, monthly allowances, capacity building, career guidance, and networking opportunities so scholars can continue their studies with confidence, build self-reliance, and contribute positively to their communities.

So far, 64 of our students have graduated: 42 in 2024–2025 and 22 this year. 🎉
Since DAFI launched in Iraq in 2016, 488 young refugee women and men, including 280 women, have accessed higher education at 21 universities. They come from Syria, Türkiye, Iran, Palestine, Yemen, and beyond.
Thank you 🙏

There's no moment quite like this one: caps in the air, families beaming with pride, and a room full of people celebrating everything you've overcome. Your courage and perseverance brought you here, and this is only the beginning. Go shine