Sixteen universities from Africa, Europe, and North America have joined forces to establish the Global University Academy, a new coalition aimed at expanding access to higher education for refugees and displaced communities. The initiative responds to the growing need for educational opportunities for refugees, with only 7% of the global refugee population currently having access to higher education.
The Global University Academy was officially launched following a workshop at the University of Oslo in June 2024 and aligns with the UN Refugee Agency's (UNHCR) goal of increasing refugee participation in higher education to 15% by 2030.
The coalition includes top institutions such as Makerere University, Stellenbosch University, University of Cape Town, Arizona State University, University of Oxford, Humboldt University of Berlin, and others. Over the next 18 months, these universities will collaborate to create foundation and bachelor's degree programs that are locally grounded and globally recognized.
The initiative will focus on ensuring course quality, securing long-term financial support, and partnering with local communities to ensure that the programs address the specific needs of refugees. The Global University Academy will also engage with refugee-led organizations to tailor its educational offerings to the unique challenges faced by displaced individuals.
With support from the Norwegian Refugee Council, the project also aims to establish mutual recognition of educational qualifications across borders, potentially paving the way for a universal higher education model in regions heavily affected by refugee crises.
By creating sustainable educational pathways, the Global University Academy hopes to empower refugees to pursue self-fulfilment and contribute to the global economy.
Article by Nyokabi Wanjiku
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