Irish Examiner View: Suaad Alshleh an example of a refugee success story

Honouring refugee contributions

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (pictured) mentioned Dublin-based medical student Suaad Alshleh as an example of how Europe could build a future by harnessing the skills, energy and talents of refugees. Image: AP/Francisco Seco)

Dublin-based medical student Suaad Alshleh got a taste of unexpected celebrity yesterday when EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen mentioned her as an example of how Europe could build a future by harnessing the skills, energy and talents of refugees.

Von der Leyen explained that the teenage Syrian refugee had arrived in Ireland dreaming of being a doctor and, just three years later, had been awarded a prestigious scholarship from the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin.