An Afghan tech entrepreneur from Canada has been welcomed into the new cohort of Oxford University students.

Sara Wahedi was born in Kabul but emigrated from Afghanistan with her family to North America in 2005.

She founded the civic technology company Ehtesab but is currently the CEO of Civaam which is a civic-tech firm that launched in 2024.

Ms Wahedi earned a bachelor’s degree in urban studies and architecture from Columbia University earlier this year.

The 29-year-old has now moved to Oxfordshire to study at the university and shared an update on X from her Matriculation Day on Saturday, October 19.

READ MORE: Construction of new Oxford University college building will begin ‘soon’

“Matriculated at Oxford University today,” said Miss Wahedi.

“I remembered our first nights as refugees in Canada, waiting in line for beds at a shelter.

“My mom gripped my hand [and said] ‘This is only a nightmare, when you start school, you'll dream happy things’.

“Thank you for letting me dream big, mom.”

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