Higher education success stories for students from a refugee background in Australia

Sarah Eyaa; Esther Ngocha-Chaderopa Nyemudzai Esther Ngocha-Chaderopa; Sharlotte Tusasiirwe; Peninah Kansiime; Yvette Lucas; Bonny A. Cotter; Karen M. Britto; Mikaela Dundov

doi:10.4018/979-8-3373-3586-5.ch005

Higher education success stories for students from a refugee background in Australia

Sarah Eyaa
, Esther Ngocha-Chaderopa Nyemudzai Esther Ngocha-Chaderopa
, Sharlotte Tusasiirwe
, Peninah Kansiime
, Yvette Lucas
, Bonny A. Cotter
, Karen M. Britto
, Mikaela Dundov

Western Sydney University

Excelsia University College
International College of Management Macquarie University
Edith Cowan University

Research output: Chapter in Book / Conference Paper › Chapter › peer-review

Abstract

This chapter explores the educational journeys of individuals from refugee backgrounds who have successfully completed tertiary qualifications in Australia and contributed to their communities. Drawing on the Strengths- Based Perspective and Intersectionality Theory, it examines institutional support mechanisms that facilitate these outcomes. A framework for refugee success in higher education is proposed, grounded in Critical Multiculturalism and structured around four pillars: access, support, empowerment, and employment. The framework is adaptable across contexts and offers practical guidance for higher education institutions, policymakers, refugee- focused organisations, and prospective students.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Barriers and Opportunities in Education for Immigrants and Refugees
Editors	Jibrin Ubale Yahaya
Place of Publication	U.S.
Publisher	IGI Global
Chapter	5
Pages	121-159
Number of pages	39
ISBN (Electronic)	9798337335889
ISBN (Print)	9798337335865
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3373-3586-5.ch005
Publication status	Published - 2026

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 4 Quality Education

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10.4018/979-8-3373-3586-5.ch005

Cite this

Eyaa, S., Nyemudzai Esther Ngocha-Chaderopa, E. N.-C., Tusasiirwe, S., Kansiime, P., Lucas, Y., Cotter, B. A., Britto, K. M., & Dundov, M. (2026). Higher education success stories for students from a refugee background in Australia. In J. U. Yahaya (Ed.), Barriers and Opportunities in Education for Immigrants and Refugees (pp. 121-159). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3373-3586-5.ch005

@inbook{b934f5ee93884f43bda74e5caadfffda,

title = "Higher education success stories for students from a refugee background in Australia",

abstract = "This chapter explores the educational journeys of individuals from refugee backgrounds who have successfully completed tertiary qualifications in Australia and contributed to their communities. Drawing on the Strengths- Based Perspective and Intersectionality Theory, it examines institutional support mechanisms that facilitate these outcomes. A framework for refugee success in higher education is proposed, grounded in Critical Multiculturalism and structured around four pillars: access, support, empowerment, and employment. The framework is adaptable across contexts and offers practical guidance for higher education institutions, policymakers, refugee- focused organisations, and prospective students.",

author = "Sarah Eyaa and \{Nyemudzai Esther Ngocha-Chaderopa\}, \{Esther Ngocha-Chaderopa\} and Sharlotte Tusasiirwe and Peninah Kansiime and Yvette Lucas and Cotter, \{Bonny A.\} and Britto, \{Karen M.\} and Mikaela Dundov",

year = "2026",

doi = "10.4018/979-8-3373-3586-5.ch005",

language = "English",

isbn = "9798337335865",

pages = "121--159",

editor = "Yahaya, \{Jibrin Ubale\}",

booktitle = "Barriers and Opportunities in Education for Immigrants and Refugees",

publisher = "IGI Global",

}

Eyaa, S, Nyemudzai Esther Ngocha-Chaderopa, EN-C, Tusasiirwe, S, Kansiime, P, Lucas, Y, Cotter, BA, Britto, KM & Dundov, M 2026, Higher education success stories for students from a refugee background in Australia. in JU Yahaya (ed.), Barriers and Opportunities in Education for Immigrants and Refugees. IGI Global, U.S., pp. 121-159. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3373-3586-5.ch005

Higher education success stories for students from a refugee background in Australia. / Eyaa, Sarah; Nyemudzai Esther Ngocha-Chaderopa, Esther Ngocha-Chaderopa; Tusasiirwe, Sharlotte et al.
Barriers and Opportunities in Education for Immigrants and Refugees. ed. / Jibrin Ubale Yahaya. U.S.: IGI Global, 2026. p. 121-159.

Research output: Chapter in Book / Conference Paper › Chapter › peer-review

TY - CHAP

T1 - Higher education success stories for students from a refugee background in Australia

AU - Eyaa, Sarah

AU - Nyemudzai Esther Ngocha-Chaderopa, Esther Ngocha-Chaderopa

AU - Tusasiirwe, Sharlotte

AU - Kansiime, Peninah

AU - Lucas, Yvette

AU - Cotter, Bonny A.

AU - Britto, Karen M.

AU - Dundov, Mikaela

PY - 2026

Y1 - 2026

N2 - This chapter explores the educational journeys of individuals from refugee backgrounds who have successfully completed tertiary qualifications in Australia and contributed to their communities. Drawing on the Strengths- Based Perspective and Intersectionality Theory, it examines institutional support mechanisms that facilitate these outcomes. A framework for refugee success in higher education is proposed, grounded in Critical Multiculturalism and structured around four pillars: access, support, empowerment, and employment. The framework is adaptable across contexts and offers practical guidance for higher education institutions, policymakers, refugee- focused organisations, and prospective students.

AB - This chapter explores the educational journeys of individuals from refugee backgrounds who have successfully completed tertiary qualifications in Australia and contributed to their communities. Drawing on the Strengths- Based Perspective and Intersectionality Theory, it examines institutional support mechanisms that facilitate these outcomes. A framework for refugee success in higher education is proposed, grounded in Critical Multiculturalism and structured around four pillars: access, support, empowerment, and employment. The framework is adaptable across contexts and offers practical guidance for higher education institutions, policymakers, refugee- focused organisations, and prospective students.

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105025185752

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DO - 10.4018/979-8-3373-3586-5.ch005

M3 - Chapter

AN - SCOPUS:105025185752

SN - 9798337335865

SP - 121

EP - 159

BT - Barriers and Opportunities in Education for Immigrants and Refugees

A2 - Yahaya, Jibrin Ubale

PB - IGI Global

CY - U.S.

ER -

Higher education success stories for students from a refugee background in Australia

Abstract

UN SDGs

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