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Which countries are doing the most to support refugees in accessing higher education?

Xander Topliss

According to recent reports, several countries are making considerable efforts to support refugees in accessing higher education. These countries include Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

Canada has shown keen interest in supporting refugee education by introducing several programs, most notably the Student Refugee Program. This program provides full scholarships to refugees living in refugee camps, allowing them to further their education and build skills that will be useful in rebuilding their home communities. Canada has also established a resettlement program to support refugees in accessing higher education.

Germany has demonstrated a significant commitment to supporting refugee education, including the provision of financial support to universities and NGOs that support refugee integration. The country has also dedicated resources to consulting with refugees and creating community-based programs to support education.

The Netherlands has also made notable efforts toward refugee education, specifically through its "Guest Student Program" which enables refugees to be enrolled in higher education courses on a provisional basis while they await the processing of their residency permits. The country has also implemented a special program to support refugee students in finding and negotiating a job in the Netherlands after graduation.

Norway, famous for its support of education worldwide, has been working diligently to establish policies that support refugee education. This includes providing scholarships to refugees to pursue their higher education and promoting the establishment of education-focused NGOs in refugee communities.

Sweden's efforts towards supporting refugee education are significant too. This includes increased funding for education providers, launching special courses to help refugees develop job-ready skills, and offering refugees access to the same online learning resources available to non-refugees.

The United Kingdom, in contrast, has established policies that are specifically aimed at supporting refugee education. For instance, it introduced the "Equal Access" program which targets supporting refugees to access higher education. Additionally, the country has established several scholarship programs to ensure refugees can afford higher education. Furthermore, the National Union of Students (NUS) UK has an international student officer who deals with the issues facing international or refugee students.

Overall, it is clear that several countries across the globe are making commendable efforts to support refugee education and access to higher education. These countries have implemented policies aimed at promoting education and facilitating the integration of refugees into their communities. It is hoped that these policies will continue to support refugees in accessing higher education and rebuild their lives in new communities.