UNISTAR

Refugee students face various challenges, from psycho-social to administrative and social issues to which HEI are often not ready to respond. The aim of the UNISTAR project (UNIversity STAff for Refugees) is to provide guidance and training to academic and administrative staff, so that they are better equipped to welcome refugees in their institutions and address any issues that may arise. The main output of the project is a blended course divided in four modules.

The first module, Becoming a Refugee, gives an overview of refugee protection and rights, and also includes personal stories and general facts on refugees worldwide.

The second module, Refugees on Campus, addresses the challenges and barriers that refugees may face in Higher Education, and suggests ways in which students can be supported.

The third module, Well-being on Campus, focuses on improving the well-being of refugees on campus.

The fourth module, Inclusive Teaching and Diversity, focuses on cultural barriers that students may face, and describes good practices to promote inclusive teaching in HEIs.

In addition to the blended course, the project partners will also develop an online toolkit for university staff, based on best practices developed by UNHCR.

Partners: Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Belgium), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (Switzerland), Universidad de Alcala (Spain), European University Foundation – Campus Europae (Luxembourg), Vilniaus Universitetas (Lithuania), Alice Salomon Hochschule (Germany), Stichting Hogeschool Utrecht (Netherlands)

Associate partners: Université Libre de Bruxelles (Belgium), Université Paris Seine (France), Université Orléans (France)