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Afghan Sussex student writes of University as haven for free enquiry and open expression
Posted on behalf of: Internal Communications
Last updated: Monday, 7 April 2025
Naimat Zafary
Naimat Zafary, a PhD researcher at the University and former Chevening Scholar, has written a blog for the Higher Education Policy Institute on freedom of speech.
In his blog Naimat, who is from Afghanistan and started at Sussex as a Chevening Scholar in 2021, writes about the inclusive and welcoming community he found at Sussex after departing his home country, which was in a deep crisis.
Naimat writes: “to me and many hundreds of Chevening scholars from across the globe [Sussex] has been such a haven for free enquiry and open expression.” He add that: “those who have, like me, known the cost of true tyranny understand that places like Sussex are the very antithesis of that and an antidote to it.”
Read the full blog on HEPI.
Read more about Naimat and his journey from Afghanistan to Sussex.
Read more about Freedom of Speech at Sussex.