Allianz and SSI expand scholarship program to support refugee and migrant education

Allianz Australia and Settlement Services International (SSI) proudly celebrated 37 new refugee scholarship recipients. This took place at the Allianz SSI scholarships ceremonies in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne this week. The scholarships will again support recipients in NSW. Allianz will provide extra funding in 2022 to support students in QLD and VIC this year.

Since 2016, Allianz and SSI have partnered to offer education and career opportunities for refugees and migrants. This collaboration has earned them awards for their efforts. The scholarships give financial support to people with refugee backgrounds. This makes it easier for them to upskill through school, training, courses or university.

This partnership has awarded over 200 scholarships to refugees. That's more than $400,000 invested into their education. Allianz Australia has supported thirty six refugees into permanent employment. This is across a variety of skilled roles in Finance, Human Resources, Claims, IT, Underwriting, Workers' Compensation and Marketing.

Allianz Australia Managing Director Richard Feledy said, “At Allianz, our purpose is to help secure the future for our customers, employees and the community. As part of this, we are committed to supporting a diverse and inclusive society. The more we can bring together people with different experiences, ideas, and backgrounds, and create environments in which people can use their unique skills and perspectives, the stronger both businesses and societies will be.

“Quality education is a critical step in the journey of all young Australians to establish rewarding careers, however, many young people of refugee backgrounds are facing significant financial barriers to accessing that education. I am so proud of the work that Allianz and SSI are doing together to support these deserving young people in their journey to learn and achieve their goals.”

SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis said Allianz had again demonstrated its commitment to creating a meaningful, two-way partnership. It did more than just ticking a corporate social responsibility box. “Allianz understands that supporting individuals who have a refugee experience is not just about providing material aid and assisting people to survive,” she said.

“It’s also about making sure there are opportunities to learn, work and thrive. This is particularly important in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, where education has been interrupted by lockdowns. The pandemic has also highlighted the digital divide that affects refugee communities. ”

“As schools and other education institutes moved online over the last two years, we saw how a lack of access to technology or digital literacy was negatively affecting newly arrived students. With the help of organisations like Allianz and other partners in the community, we hope to close that divide and support students as they continue their education.”

Roaa Ahmed is a scholarship recipient from NSW. She was forced to leave Egypt and China. When she finally found safety in Australia, she attended Beverly Hills Girls High School.

“As a refugee and as a person who didn’t have basic human rights, such as the right to live and express my opinions freely, I am strongly determined to study journalism,” she said.

“Our world is full of injustices and it’s now the time to give humans, specifically women and children, the ability to practise their basic human rights, including access to education and living without fear.”

Patrick Bukize Mwandu is a student who received a scholarship in QLD. He’s originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and came to Australia in 2018. This was after living in a refugee camp for seven years.

Last year he graduated from Redbank Plains State High School in Brisbane. He aimed to study at university, majoring in accounting. He also worked a part-time job to help his mother with rent. This scholarship will help him focus on university and pursue opportunities.

“It will assist me to get a laptop that will allow MYOB. I've always had the passion of becoming an accountant or an entrepreneur,” he said. “I like doing accounting and problem solving. If I can work as an accountant, I could earn enough to support myself and my family and I will have a chance to achieve my dreams.”

A QLD scholarship recipient, Sayed Sahil Hashemi, is a refugee from Afghanistan. He graduated from the Kabul University of Medical Sciences in 2020. This was despite facing several dangerous situations at the hands of the Taliban. He’s now seeking to have his medical qualifications recognised in Australia.

“If my qualification is recognised, I am young, Australia will utilise my potential for the rest of my life,” he said.

A scholarship recipient from VIC, Mikhail Kseri, came to Australia from Syria in 2017. He works part-time while studying English to support family members in Australia and Iraq. Study has been difficult for him because he only has a mobile phone.

He said, “A laptop will help me in my English study and then I hope to achieve my dream of studying acting one day. I think I have the right skills to do this and I am determined to succeed.”

Scholarship recipients celebrated with their families and friends, supporters, teachers and volunteers. This included representatives from community organisations and education providers. Allianz livestreamed the event across its Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne offices.

 The Australian Human Rights Commission has recognized the partnership between Allianz and SSI. It was awarded the Australian Human Rights Commission Business Award in 2017. For more information, visit Allianz and SSI partnership.