Doctoral defence at School of Education - Susan Rafik Hama

Susan Rafik Hama

Will defend her doctoral thesis in educational sciences at the Faculty of education and diversity University of Iceland

Experiences and expectations of successful immigrant and refugee students while in upper secondary schools in Iceland

The defence will take place 25th November at 9

the defence will be broadcasted at this link: https://livestream.com/hi/doktorsvornsusanrafikhama

Opponents are: Dr. Ghazala Bhatti, Professor at Bath Spa University, England, and Dr. Unnur Dís Skaptadóttir, Professor at University of Iceland

The doctoral committe: Dr. Hanna Ragnarsdóttir lead supervisor,  Dr. Börkur Hansen, co supervisor both Professors at University of Icelandand, a specialist Dr. Thor-André Skrefsrud, Professor at Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Noregi.

Dr. Ingólfur Ásgeir Jóhannesson, Dean at the Faculty of Education and Diversity will conduct the ceremony.                   

Young immigrant and refugee students are able to succeed both academically and socially in their new learning spaces in spite of different obstacles such as cultural and linguistic differences, struggles with a different school system, educational level and limited family income. This study aimed to understand young immigrants’ and refugee students’ experiences of academic and social success in upper secondary schools in Iceland. Data was collected from 27 academically and socially successful participants from three upper secondary schools in Reykjavík in spring 2014. The findings reveal that academic and social success of the participating students was shaped by a set of personal, structural and social factors. The thesis highlights the importance of providing immigrant and refugee students with a diverse and inclusive environment and that this plays a critical role in ensuring their academic and social success.