Guiding Refugees via European Exchange and Training Supporting European cooperation in the integration of highly skilled refugees in higher education Marija Mitić, ACA Staff training on recognition of refugees qualifications 21 January 2019, University of Coimbra
Horizon2020: Science4Refugees The Science4Refugees initiative A number of initiatives brought together on the EURAXESS portal, also Horizon2020 Calls for Proposals 2017 and 2018 Raising the awareness of refugee researchers of jobs and career development opportunities in Europe Supporting the refugee researchers to continue their educational path or to enter the European research labour market
Consortium (full partners): Projects: - (April 2018 September 2019) CARe - Career Advancement for Refugee Researchers in Europe (January 2019 October 2020)
Advisory Board: Sinead O Gorman Scholar Rescue Fund James R. King Mohammad Salman support network: ACA members (OeAD, FKA, IKY, UHR, AUF, IIE) + partners and counterparts in non-member countries
Support the integration of highly skilled refugees by enabling exchange among refugee support structures at national and institutional levels in Europe; Strengthen European cooperation and information sharing on existing practices and policies for the integration of highly skilled refugees Target group: responsible national-level bodies and HEIs engaged in refugee support Duration: April 2018 September 2019 (18 months) TARGET COUNTRIES Austria Belgium/Flanders Finland France Germany Greece Norway Sweden The UK
Engage the wider European higher education community of practice Contribute to informed policy making Online Compendium Support European dialogue Peer Learning Activity Stakeholder Forum Webinars Enable European-level cross-country exchange and mutual learning Provide support and guidance for HEIs
Kick-off meeting Peer Learning Activity Thematic Webinars Stakeholder Forum Online Compendium 10-11 April 2018 24-25 September 2018 January-March 2019 13-14 June 2019 September 2019 7
Peer Learning Activity, 24-25 September 2018, Brussels Goal: exchange of practice and mutual learning opportunities on support mechanisms for refugee students and refugee scholars 35 participants, 9 target countries: national-level organisations (ENIC/NARIC, NA, university network/rectors conference) and HEIs Programme focus best practices and challenges in: support mechanisms for refugee students entering university / being a student in university / leaving university (Day 1 of PLA) support mechanisms for refugee scholars based on funding models & networks and integration into academic community & sustainability (Day 2 of PLA) Universities Austria (uniko), Austria Ghent University, Belgium UCLL - University College Leuven-Limburg, Belgium Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Finland University of Helsinki, Finland Université Bordeaux Montaigne, France Université Paris 8, France University of Cologne, Germany National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece NOKUT, Norway Universities Norway, Norway University of Agder, Norway The Swedish Council for Higher Education (UHR), Sweden University of Gothenburg, Sweden Malmö University, Sweden Universities UK International, UK University of Nottingham, UK
Main challenges and needs Refugee students Cooperation between different stakeholders Recognition of prior learning/qualifications Funding Bridging programmes Refugee scholars Need for coordinated activities and awareness raising Funding and resources (national & institutional) Post-scholarship options / sustainability Support structures in and outside HEIs PLA REPORT
Entering university Good practices Challenges National level coordination / joint activities Participation in European Qualifications Passport for Refugees All immigrants as target group (SIMHE activities) Lack of funding Language skills Validation of prior degree, recognition of prior learning Legal issues around the different statuses (refugee/asylum seeker vs student) and resulting available support
*SIMHE (Supporting Immigrants in Higher Education), Finland guidance and counselling for migrants about Finnish higher education and academic study options and support in RPL enhance the identification and recognition of prior learning of highly educated immigrants (of different statuses) according to national policies as quickly as possible Multi-stakeholder cooperation: MoE, EDUFI, employment offices and integration training centres Participating HEIs: University of Jyväskylä & Metropolia University of Applied Sciences (2016 pilot), University of Helsinki, Karelia University of Applied Sciences, Oulu University of Applied Sciences and University of Turku (2017) More info on SIMHE: SIMHE @ Metropolia Other good practices: PLA Programme
NEXT STEPS THREE EUROPEAN-LEVEL THEMATIC WEBINARS January March 2019 1. Awareness raising mobilising HEIs (EC, SIMHE, uniko) 2. Refugee students: Entering the labour market cooperation with stakeholders 3. Refugee scholars: sustainability STAKEHOLDER EVENT Brussels, 13-14 June 2019 Dissemination event for the higher education community - organised jointly with the Academic Refuge project team ONLINE COMPEDIUM September 2019 An online repository of project results, material & relevant information on inspiring practices and existing policies in Europe on the integration of highly skilled refugees
CARe Career Advancement for Refugee Researchers in Europe Aim: Support the labour market integration of refugee researchers through coordinated and tailored provision of country-specific and needs-based information Target group: refugee researchers Target countries: Austria, Belgium/Flanders, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the Netherlands Duration: January 2019 October 2020 (22 months)
CARe Career Advancement for Refugee Researchers in Europe Country guides on each of 10 target countries - based on consultation with the target group, employers and relevant info points (on R&D landscape, employer groups, overview on skills / requirements / culture of a applying for a job) Country-specific webinars - focus on key stakeholders in the specific country to get further insights on the labour market requirements and opportunities. One-stop-shop via EURAXESS and SAR Country guides, webinars and other relevant information will be uploaded on the EURAXESS portal. Matchmaking Link refugee researchers with employers in respective countries.
Thank you. marija.mitic@aca-secretariat.be webpage www.aca-secretariat.be