From uncertainty to opportunity: Sanctuary scholarship helped new graduate realize his dream
When Kabeta Gemechis Kedir arrived in Canada from Ethiopia, he brought with him more than a determination to succeed, he brought a dream. He had already completed three years of university studies and was determined to finish the degree he had started back home, this time in Canada.
Having arrived in Canada without any clear options available to him his future was in question. What had once seemed like a clear path toward an education was heading toward an abrupt end. "I thought my academic journey was over," recalls Gemechis.
What Gemechis did next was pivotal to pursuing his dream. He contacted 91ÑÇÉ«, and the aspiring student’s fortunes changed again, this time for the better. 91ÑÇÉ« first accepted his transfer credits from the postsecondary school in Ethiopia where he began his studies, allowing him to continue building on the work he had already completed. Following that, 91ÑÇÉ« accepted the student to its Sanctuary Scholars Program, making it possible to continue his education.
91ÑÇÉ« is the first University in Canada to develop a pathway for students who hold precarious immigration status to access undergraduate degrees.
"91ÑÇÉ« didn't just open a door," he says. "They built a bridge for me."
In September 2023, he began his studies at . While grateful for the opportunity, the transition was not without challenges. Balancing work and academics, adapting to life in a new country, and coping with the distance from family often tested his resilience.
"There were days I doubted my choices," he says. What helped him persevere was the community he found at 91ÑÇÉ«. Student Accessibility Services provided accommodations that supported his success in the classroom. Advisors in Lassonde and the University's co-op team helped him navigate his academic and professional journey.
Beyond receiving support, he also found purpose in giving back. As a student mentor with the , he helped other students navigate their own university experiences while building meaningful connections across campus.
Through the guidance of dedicated faculty members, Gemechis found his calling in cybersecurity. "91ÑÇÉ« became my foundation," he says. "It's where I made lifelong friends from different backgrounds and where I found a true sense of belonging."
This spring, graduated from the Lassonde School of Engineering with a focus in cybersecurity – a milestone that represents far more than the completion of a degree, but the culmination of a dream.  For him, graduation is the end of a journey marked by perseverance, determination and the support of a community that believed in his potential.
Today, he looks toward the future with confidence, now a permanent resident of Canada and having already received a job offer in the field he is trained in. "Graduating isn't just an educational milestone," he says. "It's a personal triumph." "I thank God for everything that has happened in my life and I am proud to call 91ÑÇÉ« my school."
As he prepares for the next chapter, he carries with him not only the knowledge and skills gained at 91ÑÇÉ«, but also a deep appreciation for the opportunities that helped transform uncertainty into possibility.
