Algoma U Offers Admission to Syrian Refugee
(SAULT STE. MARIE, ON – December 9, 2015): Algoma University is pleased to announce that it has offered admission to one Syrian refugee through the World University Service of Canada’s (WUSC) Student Refugee Program (SRP). The student has accepted the offer and is hopeful to start in January of 2016.
In response to the Syrian Civil War and the over four million Syrian refugees who have fled to neighbouring countries and Europe, the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) has asked post-secondary institutions across Canada to consider taking in Syrian refugee students. In September, Algoma University, in collaboration with the Algoma University Students’ Union (AUSU), announced it would accept two Syrian refugee students for January of 2016.
“We are very pleased that one Syrian refugee has chosen to study at Algoma University,” said Algoma University President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Craig Chamberlin. “We look forward to welcoming this student on campus in 2016. It is vital that Algoma University offers assistance to refugees and provides them with a safe and stable community living environment, quality education, and a bright future for themselves and their families.”
WUSC is a leading Canadian non-profit organization in international development, committed to building a more equitable and sustainable world. Through WUSC’s Student Refugee Program (SRP), WUSC has been supporting recently graduated secondary school students living in refugee camps for over 35 years. Over 1,500 refugees have resettled in Canada, becoming Canadian citizens, and have attended Canadian post-secondary institutions. This is the only program of its kind in the world. Many SRP students have secured meaningful careers, bringing about positive change within governmental institutions and within the United Nations, while others have formed their own non-governmental organizations.
Algoma University has been supporting WUSC and the SRP program for over 10 years, allowing 10 refugee students to earn a university degree who otherwise may not have had the opportunity. Algoma U’s WUSC SRP students have come from the Sudan, Somalia, Burundi, Myanmar, among other countries.
On campus, over 24 percent of the student body is comprised of international students, many from countries Syrian refugees have fled to, including Iraq. These students, coupled with the Algoma U WUSC Committee, will help this Syrian student adjust and transition to living in Canada, studying abroad, and attending university.
All WUSC SRP students must go through an intense screening process and meet specific academic regulations before being admitted into the SRP program.
About Algoma University
Algoma University was established in 1965 and is located in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Algoma University is a small, undergraduate, teaching-focused university that places an emphasis on serving the needs of Northern Ontario. Algoma University offers a wide range of degrees spanning the liberal arts, sciences, and professional disciplines. As a partner with Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig, Algoma University has a special mission to cultivate cross-cultural learning between Aboriginal populations and other communities. Algoma University also offers satellite programming in Brampton and Timmins. For more information, please visit www.algomau.ca.
