A REFUGEE who fled Syria and earned a place at Oxford University has inspired a new scholarship at Brighton College.

At the age of 17, Sulamian Wihba escaped his war-torn country by trekking hundreds of miles and stowing away in the back of a refrigerated lorry in the French port of Calais.

After settling in Hove, Sulamian, alongside fellow Syrian refugee Elias, attended weekly English language lessons at Brighton College and in a short space of time, was offered a full scholarship for the sixth form.

Now, five years later, Suilamian and Elias have inspired a new scholarship programme at Brighton College after achieving top A-level grades and going on to study at Balliol College, Oxford, and Queen Mary’s, University of London.

The Argus: Sulamian at the Open Doors launch last year with Brighton College pupils.Sulamian at the Open Doors launch last year with Brighton College pupils.

Brighton College’s Opening Doors scholarship programme offers sixth form places to “talented and ambitious” young people who have experienced a significant disadvantage or have been displaced.

A spokesman said: “At Brighton College, we want every young person to have the chance to pursue their academic interests, their passions and their future hopes within a supportive and stimulating environment.

“With fully-funded sixth form scholarships, we hope to attract local pupils for whom our pastoral care and academic rigor will offer a life-changing opportunity.

“The Opening Doors programme will allow pupils to enjoy studying their chosen subjects, to access a place at a leading university, and begin preparing for their future career.”

Sulamian fled Damascus with his family in 2015.

They had endured bomb raids and gun battles and had to take shelter in their bathroom and inside a school.

Sulamian’s long journey to sanctuary in the UK saw him walk from Syria to Lebanon, then Lebanon, Turkey, Greece, Macedonia, Serbia, Hungary, Austria then France, Calais and finally England, having successfully stowed away in a lorry.

Brighton College continues to have links with the refugee community in Brighton, inspired by the “remarkable success” of Sulamian and Elias.

The college provides different classes for the Syrian community, offering refugees a place to meet and facilitating language and cultural lessons for people of all ages.

There are currently 20 scholarships available for September 2021. Anyone who is interested in applying can apply here or email OpeningDoors@brightoncollege.net.