Nour Tabakh

Nour Tabakh is a Syrian national who fled his war-torn country in 2017 and relocated to Dundee.

He arrived in the city barely able to speak English, which posed a significant hurdle to his academic and professional pursuits. However, he remained committed to continuing his studies and building a new life in Scotland.

A turning point in Nour's journey came when he applied to Al-Maktoum College of Higher Education, which offered him support in taking an English language test. He achieved a high score, enabling him to enroll in an HNC course, followed by an HND programme, before progressing to Abertay to study business.

At Abertay, Nour benefited from the assistance of academic support staff and his lecturers, who helped him navigate the challenges of being a non-native English speaker.

Nour said:

The staff at Abertay were instrumental in my success. Their willingness to help me navigate the curriculum and offer individualised support was important in enabling me to reach my goals. Without their help, I wouldn't have been able to achieve the success I have today.

Nour met his wife, Shemaa, in Dundee shortly after relocating. They married in 2021 after a two-year engagement and welcomed their son, Adam, last summer. Shemaa is in her final year of studying dentistry at the University of Dundee.

Despite facing difficulties as refugees, Nour and Shemaa have established a happy family life in Dundee.

Nour added:

From the moment we arrived, we've felt a sense of belonging here. The people of Dundee are genuinely friendly and open-minded, and we've never felt like we're just temporary residents.

Looking ahead, Nour plans to continue his education by enrolling on a Master's and then a PhD course. He aims to contribute to the local community that has given him so much through work and volunteer activities. 

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