U of R scholarship program offers Afghan students a lifeline for education and safety
For decades, women in Afghanistan have not only been facing significant challenges to access education, but also been banned from working in government offices and the judiciary, as well as restricted from attending recreational public spaces.
It is an unfortunate reality to see that in some regions around the world, women struggle to obtain the basic rights to employment, leisure, and healthcare. With regards to education, a UNESCO press release dated August 19, 2025, clearly points out that “Today, Afghanistan stands out tragically as the only country in the world where secondary and higher education is strictly forbidden to girls and women.”
UofR’s Project Resilience offers hope
Despite the ongoing conflict and contentious matters surrounding this topic, there is still hope for a better and optimistic future. In 2022, in partnership with the Women Leaders of Tomorrow, the University of Regina launched the Project Resilience Scholarship Program. This scholarship program is specifically catered to support students who have been impacted by the disastrous consequences of the ongoing political disturbances in their home countries. The aim of this program is crystal clear- to empower our young women of today who will be the future leaders of tomorrow through education.
What is Project Resilience?
An article released by the University of Regina on their official website mentions that the university is working to raise $500,000 to support as many Afghan women students as possible. The total annual cost per student is approximately $40,000. Erin MacAulay-Davalos, Director of the U of R Philanthropy team let us know that since its launch in 2022, the initiative has “most recently been reactivated to respond to the urgent needs of Afghan women students who are currently displaced. This renewed focus has expanded both the scale and urgency of Project Resilience.”
When asked about how close is the University of Regina towards reaching the target MacAulay-Davalos said, “We are very encouraged by the generosity we have seen so far. We have surpassed our initial $500,000 goal. This incredible momentum means we will be able to support even more students than originally planned. At the same time, we are continuing to fundraise so that we can extend this opportunity to more Afghan women who remain at risk and in urgent need of educational pathways to safety.”
University of Regina and WLOT are working closely together to align admissions, fundraising, and support for Afghan students. – Erin MacAulay Davalos, Director, U of R Philanthropy
Partnership with Women Leader of Tomorrow
Erin MacAulay also mentioned that Women Leaders of Tomorrow played a significant role as a liaison in connecting the University of Regina with vulnerable Afghan women in need of assistance. She states, “Women Leaders of Tomorrow (WLOT) has been instrumental in connecting us with Afghan women students who are most in need of support. Their on-the-ground knowledge, relationships, and advocacy ensure that we are reaching high-achieving students who are facing imminent threats to their education and safety.” She added that the University of Regina and WLOT work in close conjunction to align admissions, fundraising, and support for these students.
Other additional services
It is worth mentioning that, beyond financial support, students coming into the University of Regina through Project Resilience have full access to a wide range of services including counselling services and the Student Wellness Centre for physical and mental health, academic advising, and mentoring to help with transition and success in Canadian classrooms as well as UR International’s support to assist with housing and community connections.
MacAulay’s message for everyone
A message that Erin MacAulay has for the people is that “Project Resilience is more than a scholarship program, it is a lifeline. For these young women, access to education means safety, stability, and the chance to pursue their ambitions free from fear.” She emphasises how every contribution sends a powerful message that “the University of Regina community stands with these women in crisis and believes in their potential to lead and contribute.”
“By giving to Project Resilience, donors are not only helping individual students, but they are also advancing the values of equity, compassion, and global citizenship that define our institution,” she concluded.For those interested in making donations for the Project Resilience Scholarship Program, you can visit the UR website.
