Partnering for success
RISE: Refugee Background Student Success Program empowers students from refugee-backgrounds to create meaningful supports, foster a strong sense of belonging and promote the success of fellow students.
If you are a current Griffith University study, and you or your parents spent time as a refugee, we invite you to be part of this program. Please complete this form to join RISE.
We are a strong, inclusive and supportive community of students who are committed to improving the success and wellbeing of all students at Griffith University.
Guided by students, for students
This project is guided by the insights and lived experiences of students from refugee backgrounds to:
- develop new supports and resources for students from refugee backgrounds
- identify gaps and opportunity for improvement in current support systems.
- foster a community of students committed to their success and the success of their peers
- create new opportunities for employment and life after graduation.
- work with Griffith Alumni and community leaders.
We are a united community of students from diverse backgrounds, many shaped by unique journeys and challenges. We come together to support, uplift, and empower one another to succeed. Guided by resilience, ambition, and a shared commitment to inclusion, we strive to build a stronger and more welcoming future. Together, we create opportunities, amplify student voices, and open doors for all to thrive as leaders and changemakers.
A message from our members.
Strategic goals for 2026
Our members drive what we do and how we do it. The goals they have set for 2026 are:
1. Speaking in Public
Improving English through targeted English-language support, social events, presenting, facilitating meetings and public speaking.
2. Building Belonging
Getting involved in our many communities, creating opportunities for all students to connect, raise awareness of mental health and having fun!
3. Success in Graduation
Connect with academic assistance, mentoring and career development.
Create opportunities for employment, leadership, training, and professional networking.
Confidence through contribution
"Before joining RISE, I really struggled to speak in front of others. At my first gathering, I was honestly shaking. Through mentoring and support from people who understood my background, I slowly built confidence and found my voice. Six months later I now work at the university and recently spoke to a room of 300 students.
RISE shows that with the right support, refugee-background students can build confidence and networks and succeed at university. It made me realise that by engaging, we’re not just helping ourselves. We are creating a community and showing what works, so more students can benefit in the future.
We may not build every bridge, but building the first few means others can keep going, and that’s what winning looks like to me.
You don’t need confidence to join; this is where confidence is built."
Naimo (RISE member)
Sustainable Development Goals
Griffith University is aligned with the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and is committed to advancing knowledge, innovation, and practices that promote holistic health and well-being, inclusive, equitable, and quality education, gender equity and equal opportunities, resilient economies, and a more equitable and just society while fostering partnerships for the goals.
2026 events
RISE events are an opportunity for our members to meet, collaborate with and network with allies across a range of sectors. This is one of the key ways that RISE enacts our strategic goals.
The United Nations Association of Australia, Young Professionals Queensland (UNAA YP) is a key ally of our program in 2026. We are collaborating on events and opportunities for our members throughout the year in pursuit of our strategic goals.
February
Wednesday 25: Asylum Speaker Story night: Listening to Rohingya Voices
- Hosted by the UNAA YP , this was the first event in this series and is held at Multicultural Australia's office in Woolloongabba. It ran from 6–8pm and includes a meal cooked by Queensland's Rohingya community.
March
Tuesday 10: Welcome BBQ and networking event
- We joined with the UNAA YP for a fun and friendly BBQ at Riverside Green at Southbank. Running from 5:30–7:30pm, join this event welcomed new members and built professional networks.
April
Friday 17: Youth Matters Conference, Kangaroo Point
- Hosted by Multicultural Youth Queensland (MYQ), this conference prioritised meaningful youth participation across design, governance, and delivery, inviting attendees to connect, collaborate and commit to shaping inclusive futures for multicultural youth in Queensland.
May
Tuesday 12: Multicultural Youth Symposium
- One of our members presented at the Multicultural Youth Symposium at the Gold Coast.
19–21 May: Welcoming Australia Symposium, Adelaide
- A member was been sponsored to attend the Welcoming Australia Symposium.
Tuesday 16: Asylum Speaker Story night: Listening to Iranian Voices
Sunday 31: Logan Fun Run
- We registered a team with the UNAA YP—the Run to Rise.
June
Tuesday 16: Asylum Speaker Story night: Listening to Hazara Voices
The RISE program has worked with our members to deliver presentations at the following forums:
- 17 April: Multicultural Youth QLD Youth Matters Conference
- 27 May: Welcoming Universities Network
- 17 June: Green bites. Griffith Sustainability
- 23 June: Griffith Professional EDGE Conference
In line with the first and third strategic goals, we continue to seek opportunities for our members to present at different events, workshops and meetings.
Please email refugee-students@griffith.edu.au with any opportunities.
Our members are committed to contributing to their communities and promoting the value of tertiary education. One of the ways we do this is by running stalls at community events.
- 30 May: Africa Day, Queensland African Communities Council.
- 27 June: Inspiring Journeys, Woodridge State High School.
- 30 June: Inala Multicultural Festival 2026, Brisbane City Council.
This is a paid role for our members and is an important opportunity to share the work of RISE and its place in the Griffith University community.
RBSSP Connect
In a nutshell, RBSSP Connect is an opportunity for free English language coaching and support for our members.
Commencing in Trimester 1 of 2026, this innovative new program connects members of RISE and Griffith University Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) students for meaningful, purposeful discussions.
- RISE members build their confidence and
competence in speaking English and public
speaking through purposeful and goal-driven coaching sessions. - TESOL students can apply what they are learning and gain practical work-integrated learning (WIL) experience through assisting others to improve their English.
I want to be the kind of support I needed:
someone who listens, encourages, advocates and believes.
Member of this group.
Become a member
We are looking for Griffith University students who have either:
- come to Australia on a refugee/Humanitarian visa
- been born in Australia to parents from refugee background.
We want this group to offer a diverse range of voices, perspectives and cultures.
Everyone is welcome. Your voice matters.
Want to get involved? Please complete the Expression of Interest form for students.
This form is only for current Griffith University students who are from a refugee background.
Alumni stories
Explore inspiring stories from former Griffith students of refugee backgrounds.
Sora Fullaha
When Sora Fallaha completed her medical analysis bachelor’s degree in Jordan, a postgraduate degree in medical science loomed as the obvious next step for the gifted young student. However, that next step wasn’t an easy step.
Juvenal Ndayishimiye
Juvenal graduated with a Bachelor of Business (Logistics and Supply Chain Management) in 2011. That was just two years after arriving in Australia, eight years after leaving his war-torn homeland of Burundi and including six years in a refugee camp in Kenya.
Eva Ballai
Registered nurse Eva Ballai came to Australia as a political war refugee. Her qualifications were not recognised in Australia and, with limited English skills, she had no idea how she was to build a new life. However, she pursued her goals and has spent every minute since trying to make a difference.
Sanesie Dukuly
Sanesie Dukuly grew up in a camp in Guinea, where he dreamed of getting a better education. In Australia, he worked as a security guard to support his family—until a manager asked him: “Have you thought of going to school?"