06/07/2025
DAFI Success Story – Ayham Dahdouh: From Refugee Camp to Surgical Residency 🩺
Ayham Dahdouh grew up in a refugee camp, facing the hardships of displacement and limited resources. Despite these challenges, he remained committed to academic excellence—achieving 94.7% in the Jordanian Tawjihi exam, which earned him a place at the Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST) to study Dentistry.
During his academic journey, Ayham demonstrated outstanding dedication, graduating with a GPA of 3.90. To broaden his global opportunities, he also obtained a TOEFL score of 93 and IELTS score of 6.5. He completed a clinical internship at the Royal Medical Services, gaining hands-on experience in a demanding healthcare setting.
Driven by his passion for surgery, Ayham was accepted as a member of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and enrolled in a Master’s program in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. During his training, he managed complex surgical cases and continued to refine his clinical expertise.
Today, Ayham is currently completing his medical residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. His journey from a refugee camp to a surgical residency student exemplifies the transformative power of education and opportunity.
The DAFI scholarship played a vital role in Ayham’s academic and professional development. It provided essential financial support and a strong support system that fostered his academic growth, civic engagement, and leadership skills.
Ayham’s story reflects the broader mission of the DAFI programme in empowering refugee youth to become skilled professionals and positive changemakers. His success is a testament to what is possible when talented young refugees are given the chance to pursue higher education.