REGINA — It was past midnight— and bitterly cold — on the November evening when Spogmai Hashemi arrived in Saskatchewan, after months of preparing to study in Canada through the University of Regina’s Project Resilience Scholarship Program for Afghan women students.
“I just wanted to breathe the fresh air, free from threats or people dictating what you can or can’t do,” says Spogmai, whose education at the American University of Afghanistan in Qatar was disrupted following the suspension of U.S. government aid. “The moment I walked out of the airport under the cold night sky, I stood there inhaling the night air. There was a different type of feeling in the breeze, I can’t describe it.”
From November 2025 to January 2026, the University of Regina welcomed six Afghan women students through its Project Resilience Scholarship Program, as well as 24 men and women Afghan students through the Qatar Afghan Scholarship Program. The students are enrolled in various graduate and undergraduate programs, including business, public policy, computer science, and education, thanks to the generous financial support of donors across Canada and partner institutions worldwide.
Now, just ten short weeks into their education at the U of R, the students are settling into their academic studies and adjusting to life on the Prairies— weather and all. We caught up with several students to hear about their experience so far and what ambitions they have for their educational journey.
Nilofar Naderi
Undergraduate Student in Computer Science
“I decided to study Computer Science because I am passionate about technology and its potential to solve real-world problems. I hope to use AI to create opportunities and support innovation, especially for communities with limited access to education.”
Fun Fact: “As an Afghan woman in STEM, my journey reflects resilience and determination. I am passionate about empowering women in my country by encouraging them to pursue education and careers in technology.”
Hashmatullah Rahimi
Master’s Student in Business Administration (Leadership)
“I take life with gentleness, interest, and a commitment to change it positively anywhere possible. The Business Administration program will enable me to develop my strengths of leading teams, making informed decisions, and transforming an innovative idea into a practical solution.”
Fun Fact: “I’ve been interested in fashion since high school, and the idea of starting my own brand has always excited me. …The most significant thing I have experienced in my first two months at the University of Regina is the positive and encouraging atmosphere. My entrepreneurship dreams are also becoming active because of this academic life, especially as I am about to introduce my own fashion brand, where creativity, strategy, and community influence meet.”
Parnian Mutawakil
Master's Student in Computer Science
“I decided to study Computer Science because I am passionate about technology and its potential to solve real-world problems. I hope to use AI to create opportunities and support innovation, especially for communities with limited access to education.”
Fun Fact: “As an Afghan woman in STEM, my journey reflects resilience and determination. I am passionate about empowering women in my country by encouraging them to pursue education and careers in technology.”
Parisa Ahmadi
Master’s Student in Public Administration and Leadership
“Growing up in Afghanistan, I witnessed how policies and decisions directly shape people’s lives — especially the lives of women and girls. After experiencing displacement and continuing my education across different countries, I became even more interested in understanding how institutions function, how leaders make decisions, and how systems can either limit or empower individuals. … I want to be part of building systems that create opportunity rather than restrict it.”
Fun Fact: “One quality that defines me is resilience combined with intentional growth. My experiences have strengthened my adaptability and sharpened my sense of purpose. Outside of my studies, I enjoy watching films, reading books, and listening to podcasts, particularly those focused on leadership, human behaviour, and social change. … I see challenges not as setbacks, but as opportunities to grow stronger and more prepared to contribute meaningfully wherever I am.”
Faisal Popalzi
Master’s Student in Computer Science
“I am driven by the challenge of solving high-impact problems in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. My research focuses on AI-driven fraud detection and adaptive security systems that can anticipate and respond to evolving digital threats. As technology becomes deeply integrated into every sector, building secure and intelligent systems is not optional; it is essential.”
Fun Fact: “I am passionate about connecting with people and engaging in meaningful conversations. I enjoy exchanging ideas, learning from different perspectives, and building relationships that inspire collaboration and growth.”
Spogmai Hashemi
Master’s Student in Public Administration
“Growing up in Afghanistan, a country shaped by decades of war and conflict, I witnessed how weak state institutions and ineffective policies have hindered development and public service delivery. My motivation for choosing this field stems from my strong interest in policy formulation, evaluation, and implementation across different levels of government and institutions. I am especially attracted to this field because public policies play a critical role in shaping social outcomes and addressing complex societal challenges.”
Fun Fact: “I am deeply passionate about community engagement and social impact. There is always a sense of responsibility in my mind toward contributing to positive changes in society. I enjoy engaging in discussions about governance, public policy, and social development, and I often spend time reading about global political and policy issues.”
Resilience built on partnership
Established in 2022, Project Resilience supports students from war-torn regions, offering scholarships, housing, and essential services to ensure they can continue their studies safely in Canada. Since it was established, the program has provided scholarships to students with families from Ukraine, Myanmar, Palestine, and Afghanistan. To provide this vital scholarship support, the University of Regina partners with organizations, such as Women Leaders of Tomorrow, to identify academically high-achieving students in need and align this need with educational programs at the University. Thank you to all the donors who have provided and continue to create a lifeline through education for these students.
