Deportee at home

No one could not be touched by the suffering of refugees, who played on our television screens and in our newspapers over the summer.

During the nearly five years of civil war in Syria, the scale of the tragedy was enormous. And, amid the chaos and displacement of over four million people, the said Foundation estimates that about half of the students in the country currently unable to access the programs of study because of the conflict.

East London has a long and proud history as a place of settlement of refugees and is now one of the most ethnically diverse areas in London. This fact is reflected in our university, the University of East London, or UEL, where we welcome students from more than 120 countries. And, in some small way, in the UEL response to the crisis reflects our immediate location as well as our long-term history.

Our Research Centre on Migration, Refugees and belonging, based in School of Social Sciences, brings together scientists who carry out interdisciplinary work in the areas of migration and refugee studies; Diaspora and social cohesion; racism, nationalism and political religions; as well as citizenship, identity and belonging.

We are also the home of the British Refugee Council Archive, one of the largest collection of materials on the study of forced migration and refugees.

In the fast moving environment of East London, our contribution and commitment to our local community remains singular. But our understanding that our local community is a mosaic of the world means that it can not stand by as a tragedy and an exodus in Syria took place without doing something that would resonate for us as an institution and our community of students and staff dedicated to helping others,

It follows that, when a senior lecturer in international studies at the university, Dr. Tim Hall, came to me suggesting that we believe offers free scholarships Syrians fleeing the conflict, he was my immediate attention. The team has already been in contact with the campaigning group Citizens of the UK who are formulating a broader response.

Grants

In short, we were ideally placed to help. In the first instance we decided to offer 10 postgraduate scholarships Syrians have taken refuge in camps after fleeing their civil war. The scholarships will cover all academic fees.

We see this scholarship as a small contribution to assist with the resettlement of Syrian families as they try to build a new life in the UK. Before the civil war, Syria was known for its high levels of educational attainment. We believe that this offer postgraduate scholarships, we can help a group of refugees in obtaining a UK qualification that will help them to fit into their new life in the UK.

The conditions for entry had to be carefully prepared. Anyone with compassion would like to help as much as possible, but we had to be realistic. We worked with the Home Office and our own International Office to get it right.

The response was incredible. There were dozens of phone calls. Applications have already been considered. It was a very positive reaction from the university and beyond; While many have commented that this scheme is exactly what we need to do.

The staff are also proud that UEL is seen to be taking the lead in the sector on this issue. I believe that our efforts and will lead to others making similar commitments to those refugees who will require support and new possibilities in customizing their new home.

Now they were asked to join the national refugee Welcome Committee. It will be a privilege to take my place with the other civic and social leaders such as Bishop of Durham, RT Rev Paul Butler; Jahangir Mali, CEO of Islamic Relief, and Rabbi Danny Rich Liberal Judaism, among others. I hope to play a significant role in helping the board to draw together key voices in the public and private sectors to address the challenges posed by the current crisis.

At UEL, our hope is that our program will provide not only the stability of the new arrivals, but the opportunity to continue their academic ambitions in a safe, tolerant and supportive environment. Some of the people that will help build the future of Syria. It is our privilege to play our small part in it.

Professor John J. Toughing the Vice-Chancellor of the University of East London, UK. This article was first published in the International Focus.