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Global university initiative for refugees kicks off
Several universities, led by the University of Oslo (UiO), are launching a global coalition to strengthen education provision for refugees on a large scale. 15 partners from around the world are joining forces to improve and expand access to higher education for refugees and their communities through the development of the Global University Academy, a global university for refugees and internally displaced people.
This initiative aims to give millions of displaced people, who currently have little or no access to higher education, a second chance. In collaboration with 15 international universities, including institutions from Africa, Europe and North America, the project will provide customized, high-quality university education for displaced students.
The initiative is being developed in collaboration with UNHCR and the Norwegian Refugee Council, and SAIH, and others, the initiative, together with the global network of universities, is helping to strengthen the future of refugees through education. The Grieg Foundation is supporting this work.
As an organisation by and for students and academics, SAIH is proud to support the Global University Academy. In our work we meet brave students living in contexts of war and conflict, risking so much to be able to study. This initiative represents an act of solidarity to them from the global higher education community. Education is the most important tool we have to change the world, and everyone should have the opportunity to shape their own future and the society they live in - through education.
Today, only 7% of the world's refugee population has access to higher education. The Global University Academy supports the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) goal to increase this number to 15% by 2030. In collaboration with local partners and refugee-led organizations, this initiative will help to provide refugees in more countries with the opportunity to earn both undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Collaboration between elite universities.
At the same time, a global alliance of elite universities, known as the Global University Alliance, has announced an additional initiative to support refugees' access to higher education. Members include prestigious universities such as the University of Oxford, Humboldt University of Berlin and the University of Cape Town. Over the next 18 months, the alliance will develop a new academic framework that allows students to earn accredited degrees by studying across multiple institutions.
As part of this program, the alliance will also launch pre-entry courses for refugees, with a pilot project starting in 2026-27. This will enable refugees to prepare for higher education and increase their chances of succeeding academically.
The rector of the University of Oslo, Svein Stølen, states that the collaboration represents a significant challenge, especially in terms of transferring credits between countries.
How to do this will be an important discussion amongst the partners in the months to come
He also points to the importance of recognizing refugees' qualifications, as documentation is often lost during flight.
President of Arizona State University (ASU), Michael Crow, highlights that many of the world's refugees are talented and deserve opportunities.
It is proven through history that refugees are innovators. Giving them pathways to further education not only lets them develop their individual potential but also benefits their communities, their host countries, and the world
Read more about the program here
GUA Members:
University partners:
Arizona State University
Humboldt University of Berlin
KU Leuven
Norwegian University of Life Sciences
PSL University
SOAS, University of London
Southern New Hampshire University
Stellenbosch University
University of Bergen
University of Cape Town
UCLouvain
University of Hamburg
University of Oslo
University of Oxford
Non-university partners:
Norwegian Refugee Council
UNHCR
SAIH
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