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Higher education for refugees:�Good practices from the DAFI programme �

“Strengthening Delivery of Higher Education to Refugees”

Istanbul, Turkey

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6 October 2015

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UNHCR’S mandate

Under the 1951 Convention relating to the

Status of Refugees:

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UNHCR’s mandate is to safeguard

the rights and well-being of refugees

    • Ensuring protection for people of concern
    • Providing for basic needs
    • Finding durable solutions

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59.5 million forcibly displaced as a result of persecution, conflict, generalized violence and human rights violations

14.4 million refugees under UNHCR’s protection

38.2 million IDPs

51% of all refugees are under 18

Over 4 million Syrian refugees in host countries in the region (1st October 2015)

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Forced displacement in 2014

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UNHCR Education Strategy 2012-2016

Action 4: More young people will follow higher education courses

Kenya/UNHCR/R. Gangale/May 2010

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Contribution of higher education

  • Globally, less than 1% of refugees have access to higher education opportunities and demand is rapidly increasing
  • Higher education for refugees serves individuals, communities and societies
    • Professional development and self-reliance
    • Reinforced protection of children and young people
    • Skill-sets necessary for solutions to refugee situations
    • Peaceful co-existence between refugee and host communities

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DAFI scholarship programme

    • Initiated and primarily funded by Germany, complemented by private donors, implemented by UNHCR since 1992
    • Sustainable growth: 2,240 scholarships for refugees in 41 host countries in 2014
    • TOP-5 subjects of study: business & commerce, medical & health, pedagogics, engineering, mathematics & IT
    • Largest student populations: Afghans, Somali, Congolese, Sudanese, Syrians

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DAFI for Syrian refugees

    • DAFI has rapidly scaled up access for Syrian refugees: from 34 students in 2013 to 144 students in 2014
    • New country programmes in Lebanon and Turkey since 2014, expanded programmes in Jordan and Egypt
    • 200 new scholarships for Syrians in 2015
    • Demonstration of high demand: 5,800 applications for 70 scholarships in Turkey in 2015

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Connected/ blended learning

  • Combination of online and onsite learning adapted to refugee contexts (urban, camp-based)
    • Flexibility in programmes
  • Expanding and diversifying access to accredited higher education within refugee communities
    • Complementary approach to scholarships
  • Jordan: English and IT classes in Amman by JC-HEM
  • UNHCR’s engagement in operational partnerships: towards a consortium of connected learning partners

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Good practices

  • Clear selection criteria & diverse student cohorts
    • Reach-out to refugee communities, management of expectations
  • Investment in broad partnerships
    • Governments, academic institutions, NGOs, refugee committees
  • Established student support throughout the programme
    • Creation of student and graduate networks, peer support
  • Perspectives beyond studies and the programme
    • Education and protection response, professional development
  • Ensuring broader benefits for refugee communities
    • Volunteering as part of the scholarship, guidance to students

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Considerations on scholarships for refugees

  • Protection and legal status of refugee students
    • Clarity in legal status of utmost importance
    • Right to work, prospects after graduation?
    • Communication with government offices and other actors
  • Sustainability of scholarships
    • Coverage of whole degree cycle
  • Language, academic and psychosocial support
    • Integration into social networks

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Regional Context

  • Access to higher education important in the region
    • Providing meaningful education opportunities for youth
    • Reducing economic vulnerability
    • Improving livelihoods
    • Contributing to protection of young people and of their communities
  • Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan (2015 – 2016)
    • USD 455 million for education, including higher ed needs for 11,000 refugees
  • Increased Scholarships (COA and third countries)
    • Complement education and protection strategies
    • Preserve protection space for refugees in the region

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Considerations

  • Initiatives outside UNHCR should consider:
    • Protection and safety of refugee students
    • Requisite precautions to “do no harm”
    • Lead to durable solutions
  • Coordination (with protection and education mechanisms) - key to avoid unintended consequences e.g. jeopardizing protection of students including legal status
  • Principle of long term support – full course of study to complete certification

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Considerations

  • Country of Asylum
    • Capacity building of local higher education institutions
    • Necessary support to integrate into the academic environment for social cohesion
  • Third Countries
    • Protection against situations of expiry of residency, destitution or forced return as a result of studying abroad
    • Close coordination with national authorities on legal status, lawful travel, asylum procedures, work placements etc.

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Questions and comments?

The floor is open for discussion!

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