David Palmer
Vice President, Advancement

and

Joseph Wong
Vice President, International
Professor, Department of Political Science

invite University of Toronto alumni and friends to attend a special panel presentation:

A Conversation with U of T Scholars at Risk

moderated by  

Dr. James Orbinski
Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine,Temerty Faculty of Medicine
Principal, Massey College
University of Toronto

What role can universities play in protecting scholars fleeing global crises? Join us for a conversation on the crucial role universities play as havens for at-risk academics whose studies, careers – and sometimes very lives – have been threatened by upheaval in their home countries. Hear from a panel of students and scholars supported by U of T’s Scholars at Risk programs as they share their personal journeys from Afghanistan, Ukraine and South Sudan.

Panelists 

Ghizaal Haress

Ghizaal Haress is an Afghan legal scholar and former presidential ombudsperson who led anti-corruption efforts before the Taliban's takeover in 2021. Previously a law professor and commissioner for constitutional oversight, she fled Afghanistan with her family. She was a visiting scholar at U of T for two years and continues to teach at the university.

Vadym Lytvynov

Vadym Lytvynov is a Ukrainian physician and medical illustrator who left Kharkiv in 2022 following Russia’s invasion. After volunteering with the Red Cross and working as a doctor, he pursued his passion for biomedical communications, enrolling in a master’s program at the University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine. Supported by U of T’s Scholars at Risk program, he has contributed to science communication initiatives while adjusting to life in Canada.

Awak Abit Bior

Awak Abit Bior is a third-year Honours BA student at the University of Toronto, majoring in Economics with minors in Applied Statistics and Psychology. Originally from South Sudan, she received the Scholars at Risk Award in 2022. A passionate advocate for education and mentorship, Awak is involved in U of T clubs like Black Students in Business and Imani, and has held work-study roles at the International Student Centre, Residence Services, and Admissions. Currently, she is an Issues Management intern at TD Bank, using her skills in data analytics and automation to improve operational efficiency. 

About the Scholars at Risk Program

The Scholars at Risk Award program supports students who are, or have been, asylum-seekers or refugees anywhere in the world within the last five years, or those whose current or intended studies have been affected by political upheaval and conflict. The program also helps established academics or professionals who have come  to U of T after fleeing persecution and instability abroad.