“Everyone has a right to education.” 160 countries have avowed to this, not yesterday but already in 1948 within the framework of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Where do we stand today, so many years later, and what can the OeAD do to foster educational equity, to make education more accessible also for marginalised groups and for the most vulnerable in our society?
Higher education for refugees
The OeAD initiative OeAD4refugees was developed in 2016 in response to the flow of refugees from the war zones in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan and the resulting increased number of refugees seeking protection in Austria. But why does higher education need to be mentioned in the context of flight and integration? In 2016 a study based on a survey by the Wittgenstein Centre for Demography and Global Human Capital, entitled “Human Capital, Values, and Attitudes of Persons Seeking Refuge in Austria in 2015” concluded that a majority of those who fled to Austria in 2015 had completed compulsory schooling and 26 percent even had a university education. Moreover, there is no question that education is an essential factor for participating in society; indeed, it is what enables participation in the first place and is thus essential for successful integration/inclusion in the host country. This is precisely why higher education for refugees must be addressed and made possible.
The basic idea behind OeAD4refugees was and is therefore to support refugees in recognising and taking advantage of educational opportunities. With this in mind the OeAD provides an information platform that gives refugees an overview of educational opportunities in Austria as well as provides information on studying and on the recognition of qualifications acquired abroad. Moreover, the OeAD advises refugees by telephone, e-mail and – provided that the current COVID-19 restrictions permit it – also in person and offers events/webinars dedicated to topics such as “Studying in Austria” and “recognition of academic achievements obtained abroad”.
Initiatives in Austria
he OeAD is one of many institutions in Austria that seek to support refugees in higher education. Among the multitude of initiatives listed on OeAD4refugees are also Universities Austria (UNIKO)’s MORE initiative, projects of universities of applied sciences as well as many often small but nevertheless no less important initiatives. The platform therefore not only includes information on studying in Austria, German courses and the recognition of degrees acquired abroad but also mentoring and peer mentoring offers. Since inclusion in higher education in Austria is often a challenge for refugees mentoring and peer mentoring options are extremely important. A great number of these initiatives are supported by pupils and students who are refugees themselves; they thus make a significant contribution to the inclusion of refugees at Austrian educational and training institutions.
Support for refugee researchers
Refugee researchers often face the loss and devaluation of their qualifications. To facilitate the integration of refugee researchers into the European labour market the OeAD – as part of EURAXESS Austria – has participated in two EU-funded projects: EURAXESS TOP IV and “Bridge for Researchers in Danger Going to Europe II” – BRiDGE II. From the wealth of project results the OeAD developed the Guide on Labour Market Integration of Refugee Researchers (only available in English) together with the project partners. Furthermore, the OeAD supported the EU project “CARe – Career Advancement for Refugee Researchers in Europe” initiated by the Academic Cooperation Association (ACA; coordinator), the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI) and participated in the development of a Country Guide for Austria.
Outlook
The UNHCR Trend Report that was published on the occasion of the World Refugee Day in 2021 shows that a peak of 79.5 million refugees had been reached at the end of 2019. 48 million of these are internally displaced persons, i.e. persons displaced within their own countries. Most of the world's refugees, almost 86 per cent or, in other words, almost nine out of ten refugees, are received by countries bordering crisis areas and low- and middle-income countries, according to the UNHCR. Only a fraction of them reaches Europe. To ensure that the right to education does not remain an empty promise it is important to provide refugees with educational opportunities so that they can lead their lives free from existential, social and economic insecurities. This also includes increased support in higher education and scholarships, which make it possible to take advantage of education and training opportunities.
Further information: studyinaustria.at/de/studium/oead4refugees
Author: Martina Laffer