TU Dublin Celebrates University of Sanctuary Designation: Where Welcome Meets Opportunity
Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) has been formally recognised as a University of Sanctuary, joining a growing network of higher education institutions committed to creating welcoming, inclusive, and supportive environments for people seeking sanctuary.
The designation was presented at a special ceremony held in St Laurence's Church, Grangegorman, attended by students, staff, community partners, and representatives from organisations supporting refugees and people seeking international protection.
The University of Sanctuary designation recognises institutions that actively promote inclusion and ensure that people seeking sanctuary are welcomed, valued, and supported to access education and participate fully in university life.
Opening the event, Melody Chinenyanga, EDI Lead for Race Equity and member of the University of Sanctuary Steering Group, reflected on TU Dublin's journey towards accreditation and the collective effort that made the designation possible.
In her address, Dr.Deirdre Lillis, President of TU Dublin, reaffirmed the university's commitment to fostering an inclusive learning environment and sustaining opportunities for students seeking sanctuary through scholarship and support initiatives.
Guests also heard from Dr Veronica Crosbie, Chairperson of Places of Sanctuary Ireland, and Karina Curley, Co-Chair of the Universities of Sanctuary Ireland Network, who presented the designation and acknowledged TU Dublin's commitment to creating opportunities for people seeking sanctuary.
As part of the celebration, Places of Sanctuary Ireland presented certificates for TU Dublin's campuses, recognising the university's commitment to fostering welcoming and inclusive environments across the institution. The certificates will be displayed throughout the university as visible symbols of TU Dublin's dedication to ensuring that people seeking sanctuary are welcomed, supported, and given opportunities to thrive. They also serve as a reminder of the shared responsibility to continue learning, embedding, and sharing practices that promote belonging and inclusion for all.
A particularly moving contribution came from Blessing Richard, a TU Dublin student and IPAS Scholarship recipient, who shared her experience of education as a source of hope, belonging, and opportunity. Speaking as both a student and a member of the University of Sanctuary Steering Group, Blessing highlighted the importance of creating environments where people seeking sanctuary feel welcomed, respected, and empowered to thrive.
TU Dublin Student, Blessing Richard
The ceremony concluded with the formal presentation of the University of Sanctuary designation to President Lillis, followed by a performance from the Nachyv Ambient Choir.
This achievement reflects the dedication of many individuals and groups across the university and beyond. TU Dublin acknowledges the contributions of the University of Sanctuary Steering Group, the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Team, the Students' Union, community partners, and the many staff and students who supported the initiative.
TU Dublin also extends its gratitude to partner organisations including Universities of Sanctuary Ireland, Places of Sanctuary Ireland, UNHCR Ireland, MASI (Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland), the Irish Refugee Council, INAR, the Immigrant Council of Ireland, the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland, and many others who continue to advocate for inclusion, dignity, and opportunity for people seeking sanctuary.
The theme of the event, "Where Welcome Meets Opportunity," reflected the values at the heart of both TU Dublin and the University of Sanctuary movement. Throughout the ceremony, speakers emphasised the transformative power of education in creating pathways to belonging, participation, and success.
The designation also reflects TU Dublin's commitment to the University of Sanctuary principles of Learn, Embed, and Share. By learning from the experiences of people seeking sanctuary, embedding inclusive practices across the university, and sharing knowledge and good practice with others, TU Dublin will continue to strengthen its culture of welcome and inclusion.
While the designation marks an important milestone, it is also a commitment to the future. TU Dublin will continue working to ensure that people seeking sanctuary have access to education, support, and opportunities to participate fully in university life.
As highlighted throughout the ceremony, a University of Sanctuary is more than a designation and it is a commitment to welcome, belonging, opportunity, and the shared responsibility to learn, embed, and share.