UWE Refugee and Migrant Support Hub

1. UWE Refugee and Migrant Support Hub Dr Ibrahim Seaga Shaw, Senior Research Fellow/Project Manager , Refugee & migrant support (RMS) hub) University of the West of England, Bristol Keynote at the City of Sanctuary National network 3rd annual conference held in Birmingham on Monday 13th September 2010

2. This presentation • Background and overview of UWE RMS hub project • The work of the hub encompasses support, research, training, and knowledge exchange • Impact of the RMS hub since starting operations in 2009 • Present and future challenges

3. Background: CARA funded research The Refugee and Migrant Support Hub came out of a CARA (Council for Assisting Refugee Academics) funded Pathfinder research project in 2008 on existing and needed structures to set up this service Assisting refugees and scholars at risk at UWE CARA Pathfinder Project Report 2008

4. The UWE Refugee & Migrant Support (RMS)Hub • provides a single point of access to facilitate academic and educational opportunities for Scholars at Risk (SARS) refugees, asylum seekers, andothersfrom underrepresented communities.

5. The UWE RMS Hub • Refugee & Migrant Support Hub • Human Resources- equality and diversity, positive action, recruitment, international staff support (placement, mentoring, training, visa, immigration etc); & Admissions- partnerships, Student Support (international Development Office) • CARA (Council For Assisting Refugee Academics, RA (Refugee Action); BCC (Bristol City Council); RISE (Refugees in Sustainable Employment) & OL NGOs (other local Non governmental organisations) • Faculty Liaison—All UWE faculties and federation (hub academic champions, academic registrars, Outreach centre etc.)

6. The Hub Provides • access to training, mentoring, work placement/ shadowing and professional development; • outreach to local community groups to support them; • qualification verification and recognition; • liaison with other faculties to develop work placement and professional development; • mentors for mentees; • liaison with faculties to identify modules to increase University intake of potential applicants;

7. The hub provides (continued) • refugee academics and other beneficiaries with access to funding and other forms of support; • coordination of outreach activities into under represented communities; • volunteering and work placement opportunities for Hub beneficiaries and other UWE students; • staff training on diversity and equality issues for refugees and migrants; • research, training and knowledge exchange consultancy in understanding and working with refugee and other underrepresented migrant communities.

8. Impact of the hub since June 2009 • Over 100 students have accessed hub service, among them 30 have so far been offered places while others signposted to FE colleges to top up and come back later; • 7 pg refugee students have been offered RMS hub Sanctuary Education Fund (SEF) Bursaries to pay their fees for part time courses with 75% fee waiver; • 6 refugee students studying English at UWE in 2009 have had their fees paid for from the SEF while over 15 have applied for similar support this year; • One research consultancy from the Bristol City Council to update the Asylum seekers and refugee myth-busting booklet; • Hub organised a successful Education Without Borders conference on June 17 (Refugee Week) • Hub now has 15 referral partners, including Refugee Action, and now has MOU with CARA

9. Two Students who have benefited from RMS hub services LS(Zimbabwe) MSc Management :This is just a follow-up mail to inform you that all is going well. I would like to thank the HUB for a super job well done”. RM(Zimbabwe) MSc Robotics :When I was granted refugee status in September 2009, I knew I wanted to pursue further education but I did not have the financial means to achieve that. Following my first meeting with the aid workers at Refugee Action I was informed of the amazing project being undertaken by the UWE RMS hub. I am very happy with all the effort and assistance I have received from Dr Shaw and the RMS hub in helping me to secure a place for an MSc Robotics course, and also providing me with the opportunity to apply for a tuition fees grant.

10. Present and future challenges • More refugee students applying for financial help than the hub can support • Increasing number of asylum seekers approaching hub for help yet very little can be done until they obtain their refugee status • Hub working with the City of Sanctuary Movement to support asylum seekers with special needs

11. Additional challenges: Some UCAS Barriers • Some have their applications rejected because English is not their first language even when they come from countries where English is the official language of study • Most said their applications were rejected because they presented themselves as refugees • Most said their applications were rejected because they indicated that they are refugees • Some said their foreign names and the fact that they are calling locally and not from overseas make those receiving the calls discriminate against them. • Some who have limited stay or exceptional leave to remain not sure about their fees status and so reluctant to apply

12. UK NARIC INSTITUTIONAL BARRIERS • Too expensive to get a statement of comparability from NARIC as an individual refugee • The NARIC system is limited to more non refugee producing overseas countries especially in Asia, South East Asia and the Middle East • Not flexible to the specific needs of refugees who have overseas qualifications despite being considered home students for fees

13. Conclusion: ways forward • More liaison and co-ordination needed with central university services and faculties • More training and knowledge exchange events organised • More outreach activities into refugee and migrant communities • More efforts put in fund raising