The collaboration between EDU-SYRIA and UNHCR aims at conducting a series of periodic focused group discussions with refugee students, donors, academic institutions, the private sector to support achieving the 15by30 Goal[1]. The precise objective of the sessions is to highlight the needs and demands of refugee students and assess ways to increase enrolment of refugee youth in higher education through a participatory approach. This will be a continuation of efforts undertaken in 2022 (15by30 Roundtable with Yarmouk University). It aims to thoroughly explore in more depth some of the recommendations of the policy paper (Increase Refugees Enrolment Rate in Higher Education in Jordan)[2] developed in 2022.
Outcomes:
- Advocate with universities, and key civil society stakeholders for stronger for stronger engagement towards the implementation of the 15by 30 Goal.
- Recognize the significance of scholarship programs funded by the European Union and DAFI in supporting access to higher education of refugees in Jordan.
- Strongly advocate increasing the number of scholarships dedicated to refugees, as the number of refugees who need higher education opportunities is not aligned with the available scholarships. This will shape a secure future for the generation suffering from protracted displacement and its consequences and prevent them from becoming lost generation.
[1] In 2019, UNHCR and partners set the goal to increase enrolment in higher education of young refugee women and men to 15% by 2030. https://www.unhcr.org/605a0fb3b.pdf
[1] http://rdfmsc.yu.edu.jo/images/Policy_Paper_English.pdf