27 April 2021
Sanctuary seekers will be able to benefit from a relaunched scholarship scheme from the 色狗导航 offering financial support to those hoping to start or continue their education in the UK.
The has been introduced for sanctuary seekers (people with refugee, humanitarian protected or asylum seeker status) in recognition of the disruption to education that displaced people experience.
The Sanctuary Scholarships Scheme will offer up to 12 awards each year, providing opportunities for those taking pre-sessional, undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
Paul Inman, Pro-Vice Chancellor (International) at the 色狗导航, said: "We have a broad and diverse community of staff and students here at the 色狗导航 and are committed to the City of Sanctuary initiative. We value the rich contribution those seeking sanctuary can make to our institution and life in Reading more generally.
"The Sanctuary Scholarships Scheme will make it easier for those people who have sadly had to flee their home country to access education and build a better life for themselves here in the UK. We look forward to welcoming our scholarship students to campus later this year."
Maryam Taher, Universities of Sanctuary Coordinator, said: "We are so delighted to hear about the relaunch of these new scholarship opportunities at Reading. The support being offered will help aspiring students feel included, welcome and valued in their community. Students seeking sanctuary have to overcome significant hurdles, this scheme will contribute to a positive change and we are proud of the efforts at Reading to make this possible."
The awards include:
and the deadlines for these are as follows:
City of Sanctuary
The Sanctuary Scholarship Scheme is part of the University's wider commitment to supporting the initiative. The University has recently signed the national organisational pledge to City of Sanctuary for the first time and has also renewed its pledge to Reading City of Sanctuary.
Inman continued: "By renewing our Reading City of Sanctuary pledge, and signing the national pledge, we are demonstrating our support for the 鈥楥ity of Sanctuary' vision that the UK should be a welcoming place of safety for all those fleeing violence and persecution.
"As an institution, we want to take this a step further and we are currently working towards achieving the University of Sanctuary Award, which would show a clear commitment to the welcome and inclusion of sanctuary seekers at the 色狗导航."
As part of the University's work towards achieving a University of Sanctuary award, the University, in conjunction with Reading Refugee Support Group and Reading City of Sanctuary, is setting up Sanctuary Caf茅 Walk 鈥榥' Talk groups with sanctuary seekers, staff and students on campus. Staff and students will also be able to donate to a 鈥楥offee Bank' for local refugees to access free hot drinks. These sessions will be set up in line with Government restrictions.
Nick Harborne, Chair of Reading City of Sanctuary Steering Group, said: "We are delighted that the University, as a key local institution, is showing leadership in welcoming those of sanctuary seeking background. The scholarships, as well as the wider commitment to work towards a Sanctuary Award, will ensure that people fleeing war and persecution are able to reach their full potential. We look forward to working closely with the University in the future."
For more information on the University's work to welcome sanctuary seekers, please click .
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