Mohamad Kamel has been looking into cancer treatment during his time at ENU
A father who left war-torn Syria to study at Edinburgh Napier University seven years ago has graduated with a PhD, following years of research into cancer treatment.
Mohamad Kamel had previously worked as a pharmacist in his home country before moving to Scotland in 2016, followed by his wife and children.
He has since been able to put his expertise in medicine into his main area of study, the development of anti-cancer drugs.
Mohamad completed a Masters in 2018, before embarking on his PhD – which culminated in his graduation at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall.
Following the ceremony on Wednesday, Mohamad was joined by his family and academic colleagues from ENU to celebrate.
He said: “It has been a long journey to this moment from Syria. I decided to come here to study because of the severe war back home.
“I found it difficult at first – a new atmosphere, a new culture, a new language, a new style of study. I had to adapt very quickly to pass and to prove myself.
“But I am proud to be here now. Having graduated, anyone in the world would dream to be in my shoes.
“I am proud of myself and my University because we had good results. There is a good possibility to turn my research into real medicine in the future.”
Mohamad was supported by the charitable NGO The Council for At-Risk Academics (Cara), which facilitated his move to study at ENU. He is now hoping to continue his research, following his graduation.
He added: “Cara offered me everything and helped every circumstance to enable me to come here. Thank god it happened, I wouldn’t be here without them.”