A cohort of 19 Afghan female medical trainees has arrived in Edinburgh to pursue their medical degrees after having to evacuate their studies due to the Taliban’s return to power. The group landed in the UK on Tuesday following a three-year initiative spearheaded by the parents of Linda Norgrove, a Scottish charity worker who unfortunately lost her life during a US special forces operation in 2010.
The Linda Norgrove Foundation, founded by her parents John and Lorna Norgrove, was instrumental in facilitating the safe passage of these students and securing their placements in four medical schools across Scotland. After being confined to their homes in fear since the Taliban’s takeover, these women were awarded student visas and enrollment as home students, allowing them access to free tuition following adjustments made by Scottish ministers.
Overcoming various bureaucratic and legal hurdles, the foundation worked diligently to bring the women to the UK. Their efforts included organizing English language assessments, coordinating university interviews via Skype, and arranging travel to Pakistan for the UK visa applications. The foundation invested approximately £60,000 in these initiatives.
Most of the students hailed from Kabul, while others came from distant provinces including Bamyan, Wardak, and Daykundi. They traveled to the UK from Islamabad, Pakistan.
One of the students, Omulbanin Sultani, shared her heartfelt appreciation, stating that the Norgroves had “saved our lives in every sense of the word” by their unwavering support throughout their challenging journey. Another student, Zahra Hussaini, expressed her hopes of returning to a safer Afghanistan after completing her education.
John Norgrove commended the partnership between the UK and Scottish governments that made this initiative possible, highlighting that these young women now have a chance to rebuild their lives and advance their medical careers.
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