Nineteen female medical students banned from attending university in Afghanistan are to complete their studies in Scotland.
They were forced to give up medicine after the Taliban retook control of Afghanistan three years ago and clamped down on women’s rights.
Lewis-based charity the Linda Norgrove Foundation worked with UK and Scottish governments to arrange visas and places at medical schools.
One of the students, Omulbanin Sultani, said: "We endured one thousand days of suffering to reach this point.
Student visas were used as an alternative to the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme to get the women to the UK.
"Finally these 19 incredibly talented young women get their future back with the opportunity of a tremendous education and a career.
Scottish Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: "These inspiring women will now be treated as home students, meaning they will benefit from free tuition and living costs support here in Scotland.". »
