As Europe struggles with the question of how to deal with the refugee crisis, the European University Association (EUA) has launched the Refugees Welcome Map. The purpose is to demonstrate in an interactive way how the higher education sector is supporting refugee students, academics and university staff.
The Welcome Map, presented on February 29, 2016, currently contains data on more than 100 initiatives, ranging from universities’ efforts in supporting refugees at local reception centers, to the organization of cultural and integration activities. It also shows how universities are offering bridging and language courses and access to information on employment and study opportunities.
“This immediate response to an emergency situation proves that Europe’s universities are able to rise to the challenge with solutions that matter,” says Michael Gaebel, EUA Higher Education Policy Unit Director. “Access to higher education can be key in integrating refugees who had to leave their home institutions. Staff can continue to work and, by gaining qualifications, students and prospective students will find better jobs and build a better future for themselves. Furthermore, a qualified person enjoys more social mobility, and would also be in a much better position to return back home one day.”
Higher education institutions in almost every European country are responding. By showcasing the initiatives, EUA hopes they might serve as examples to others and that the Welcome Map might facilitate partnerships, as it is designed to put users in direct exchange with the institutions and organizations.
Even though the map has been launched, EUA will continuously update it with new data as the survey will remain open for input from institutions and organizations in Europe, and also from other countries.
EUA will also host a webinar on March 23, 2016 at 2 pm with some of the contributors to discuss the initial findings of the map. In addition, the Third Arab-Euro Conference on Higher Education will be held on May 25-27, 2016. Further information can be found on EUA’s events webpage.
To browse the EUA Refugees Welcome Map, please click here.
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