Student who fled Afghanistan begins studies at Sussex University

  • Video report by ITV News Meridian's Tom Savvides


The University of Sussex is providing support to students from Afghanistan who have been unable to access funding for household goods, books and warm clothing.

It comes after thousands of Afghan nationals were rescued as the Taliban took control of the country, with many of them being airlifted to the UK.

One student who has been helped by the scheme is Naimat Zafary, is embracing his new life.

Naimat feared he would never get to England to study, after being caught up in the chaos at Kabul Airport as the Taliban took control of Afghanistan.

He said: "It was a very shocking day of my whole life that I will never forget."

"We went there and there was this Tali boy who was barely 16 or 17. I said I'm going to England to study. This guy ironically looked at me and he said I don't like your face, get out of here or I will blow you up."

A queue to board a plane out of Kabul airport Credit: ITV News Meridian


It took Naimat two days to get onto a British plane with his family and a group of other students.

The father-of-four young children has been accepted onto a scholarship programme to study Governance, Development and Public Policy. 

He said British soldiers asked him who was with him on the Chevening Scholarship.

Naimat said: "You could see my commitment to education my commitment that I would make it and I made it and I feel very proud and fortunate but on the other side I feel for my people my country."

  • Naimat on being rescued by British soldiers


Naimat said he will not return to Afghanistan because as a father of three daughters, he would be "playing with their lives" by taking them back to a country where education is no longer there.

He said: "They have a right to do their education and for which I fought, fought my whole life."

Twelve Afghan students have enrolled on courses at the University of Sussex this year and moves are underway to support them through their studies with a fundraising campaign.

This year twelve Afghan students have enrolled on courses here at the University of Sussex and moves are underway to support them through their studies with a fundraising campaign.


  • Naimat on returning to Afghanistan