Challenges and Solutions Faced by Asylum Seekers in University Settings
Explore the challenges asylum seekers encounter in accessing universities, from classification issues to scholarship transparency. Solutions include standardizing procedures and increasing scholarship promotion. Additionally, initiatives to enhance the student experience through staff training and mental health support are highlighted.
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Presentation Transcript
Listening to experts by experience Daniel, Arooba and Maryam
Refugee Scholars Conference Summary Have an open discussion about accessing university. 03 Provide feedback and any challenges or concerns. Meet and network with other students. 02 01 Attend workshops and information sessions.
Searching and Applying for Universities Key Points Challenge Potential Solution Clarity on home student or international student classifications Institutions differ on how they classify asylum seekers as home students or an international students. Prospective students are unsure how they will be classified Seek to establish a standard procedure on classifying asylum seekers as home students. Ensure procedure is followed across the university administration Key Points Potential Solution Challenge Promotion of scholarships Increase scholarship promotion and target colleges to reach people before they start applying to university There is little awareness of the availability of sanctuary scholarships
Searching and Applying for Universities Key Points Challenge Potential Solution Universities provide little detail for why an scholarship application is unsuccessful. Applicants do not know how the eligibility criteria has been applied Notify the applicant if they did not meet the eligibility criteria Feedback on unsuccessful scholarship application Provide sufficient detail to inform the applicant why they were unsuccessful. Key Points Challenge Potential Solution Scholarship transparency Student do not know the uptake of scholarships. They do not know how much extra funding is available. Increase transparency on scholarship uptake and provide information on their competitiveness
The Student Experience Challenge Key Point Potential solutions Pressure of providing the required typical documents upon arrival. Academic mentor/tutor not recognising their ARC (Application Registration Card) Staff training and raising awareness of sanctuary students Host an information session/event about the scholarships offered at university Train staff on the challenges faced by sanctuary students. Key Point Challenge Potential solutions Sanctuary students may feel distant from their colleagues or lost as other students at university cannot relate to their circumstances and challenges. Informing scholars about the mental health/wellbeing support services available Facilitating a meeting between scholars to get to know each other and know they are not alone. A welcoming and inclusive culture
The Student Experience Challenge Key Point Potential solutions - work in the UK, or those who have just obtained this right, it may be their first time applying to jobs. Internships and placements can be very competitive and have challenging processes For those with right to Applying to internships, placements, work while studying Collaborate with careers charities such as UpReach or RETAS to provide application guidance and support to sanctuary students. Challenge Key Point Potential solutions As libraries and study spaces are closing, some sanctuary students still need the facilities such as laptops to attend lectures and complete their assignments. Allowing sanctuary students to borrow university laptops Staying in touch with students. A point of contact to ask if there are any barriers/issues affecting their study Facilities to support study (esp. During Covid)
The Student Experience Potential solutions Challenge Key Point Continuing the student s scholarship funding until they have a decision from student finance (SF) Working out a finance plan with the student and ensure they have enough funds to cover them until they get SF Funding may stop, student is left without financial support and student finance application takes time Students status changes during their studies
Thinking about the future: careers and postgraduate study challenge- Lack of: - information - Guidance - funding information Key point- Potential solutions: - More clear information, - Universities need to work together to find a solution to allow scholars to progress. Interested in postgraduate and PhD study Potential solution: - Signposting posting to relevant career coaching, such as toto RETAS and Upreach, to find graduate schemes Challenge - Lack of career coaching for scholars - difficulty to navigate to a suitable pathway. Key point- Employability and career coaching
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