New Collaboration Pathway | EDU-SYRIA & DAFI Scholarship Programs
The German Jordanian University (GJU) and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Monday 09th of October 2023, with the presence of representatives from the European Union Delegation to Jordan, Ms. Mary Horvers and Ms. Wieke Waterschoot, marking the onset of a unique partnership to foster their scholarship programs, EDU-SYRIA and DAFI. This collaboration aims to fortify access of refugees to higher education through mutual aid and shared resources, intending to create significant developments in key areas.
The partnership revolves around four primary goals; enhance access to higher education and skills development as a long-term solution, maximize the number of scholarships provided based on the applicant’s vulnerability assessment, strengthen higher education institutions by increasing student enrollment, and address barriers such as financial constraints, language proficiency, and academic recognition of qualifications.
This agreement represents a cornerstone in the GJU and UNHCR’s combined goal of facilitating access to higher education for refugees, with equitable opportunities. By integrating the strengths of EDU-SYRIA and DAFI scholarship programs, meaningful changes within the higher education landscape serving the refugee community are what both parties aim to achieve.
Prof. Ala’aldeen Al-Halhouli, President of GJU, commented on the agreement, saying, “This crucial step is instrumental in breaking down barriers to access higher education for refugees and demonstrates our commitment to empowering refugee students with necessary supports to help reveal their potential and eventually contribute to societal growth.”
UNHCR’s representative to Jordan, Mr. Dominik Bartsch, added, “education is the beacon of hope for a brighter future. This partnership between UNHCR and the German Jordanian University reaffirms our commitment to providing refugees in Jordan with access to higher education, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to shape their own destinies.”
