Student Refugee Program
Whether due to war or political repression, students are often persecuted, imprisoned or forced into exile, joining the ranks of the world's estimated 16 million refugees and asylum seekers. They have virtually no opportunity for post-secondary education. But since 1978, WUSC's Student Refugee Program (SRP) has enabled more than 1000 of these capable young men and women to resettle in Canada as permanent residents and pursue their education in an environment free of violence and fear. From countries of origin as diverse as Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, Rwanda, Burundi, Sudan, Burma and Afghanistan, most have successfully completed their studies and are now active Canadian Citizens making valuable contributions to their communities. Each year, WUSC local committees on campuses across the country sponsor over 60 new student refugees through the program. Their sponsorship includes providing vital social and financial support to the sponsored student for a minimum of 12 months upon their arrival in Canada. WUSC and its overseas partners are responsible for selecting refugee candidates, placing them at a Canadian post-secondary institution, and providing training and guidance to the sponsored students and Local Committees throughout the sponsoring process. WUSC also liaises with Citizenship and Immigration Canada, UNHCR, and other government agencies. |
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| Impact Study |
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WUSC recently completed an evaluation of the Student Refugee Program (SRP) that looks at the influence the program has on the lives of both the sponsored students and those who sponsor them, as well as its impact on campus. Read the Impact Study |
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