Enillydd Gwobr Gorffennol Gwahanol: Rhannu Dyfodol

The Syrian conflict has killed over 600,000 people with millions more displaced and still without a place to call home.  

Many have been forced to flee their country after their lives were threatened, and for Inas Alali, she had to do it alone following the death of her husband.  

The schoolteacher and her two young children faced an uncertain future in her “beloved” country, leaving her with no option but to seek a safe haven where she could find safety.  

“I worked in the field of education for 16 years in my beloved Syria, but after the death of my husband and the outbreak of war, my life, and the lives of my children, were under threat,” said Inas, who found her way to Cardiff in 2019 through the United Nations refugee programme.  

She decided to rekindle her passion for education, but despite holding a degree in English, it was a second language and not up to the standard for teaching in Wales.  

So Inas undertook two years of volunteer teaching work to improve her English, before pursuing a return to full-time teaching by applying for the Professional Graduate Certificate in Education Post Compulsory Education and Training (PGCE PCET), a requirement for any overseas teacher wanting to enter the British post-16 education system.  

Her back story impressed Cardiff Metropolitan University where she was embraced into their inclusive environment with open arms, allowing her to qualify to teach post-16 education and training.  

Her course tutor was Leanne Davies who recalls: “She was so courageous and offered me an insight into the awful and life changing circumstances that had brought her to Cardiff.  

“She remained positive throughout and engaged with many tutorials and support mechanisms to continually improve herself and reach the required professional standard to teach in post-16 education.”  

To support her family and pay for their accommodation, Inas held two part-time jobs including teaching Arabic at Fayza Arabic Centre, she juggled all of this whilst she continued to study.  

With support from her mentors, she has completed her formal teaching hours to qualify and now teaches maths to adults at ACT Training, whilst continuing to teach Arabic part-time.  

After seeing her country torn apart, Inas describes Cardiff Metropolitan University the “University of Sanctuary” for being a “very diverse and inclusive institution” and adds that she will continue her studies to build an even better future for her children and herself. 

Nominated by:
Cardiff Metropolitan University

Sponsored by: