Enas Mousa, who graduated today at the Millennium Forum in Derry with an LLB honours degree in law, came to Northern Ireland with her family in 2016.

She told the university, which is highlighting her story, that she chose to study law because of its structure, clarity, and the impact it can have when applied with purpose, especially having seen the devastating effects of war in her home country.

Ms Mousa said: “After living through the Syrian war and experiencing displacement, education became more than learning, it became a form of resilience. It was my way of reclaiming stability, of rising above hardship, and of building a future not just for myself, but for my family.

“Choosing Ulster was choosing hope, purpose, and the strength to make a difference.”

She added: “I enjoy building strong, well-reasoned arguments and appreciate the discipline it takes to cut through complexity with facts and logic.

“What motivates me most is knowing that my work can play a real role in helping clients move forward, solve problems, and achieve meaningful results.”

The war in Syria “disrupted my education and deeply affected my family, but it never broke my spirit”, she said.

“In the face of uncertainty, I held onto hope and chose resilience. Every obstacle became a reason to push forward, not pull back. That journey shaped my perspective, strengthened my purpose, and taught me the value of perseverance when everything else feels uncertain.”

During her time at Ulster University, Ms Mousa was a member of the Moot Court Board and organised the UU Internal Moot Competition, the final of which was held at the UK Supreme Court.

She represented Ulster University at an international moot competition at the Guelph Humber University in Canada.

She was also nominated as a finalist for the gradireland Legal Undergraduate of the Year award, sponsored by William Fry.  

Following her graduation, Ms Mousa will join UK law firm A&O Sherman as a legal professional while working towards qualifying as a solicitor.

“I’m eager to learn from some of the best in the field, deepen my understanding of the law in practice, and build the skills that will shape me into the lawyer I aspire to be,” she said.