Category Archives: Sanctuary

Supporting At-Risk Academics, like Dr Fateh Shaban, through our relationship with CARA

Article by Hayley Snoding | International Projects Officer

Celebrating a remarkable 15-year relationship with the Council for At-Risk Academics (CARA), our institution remains deeply committed to supporting academics facing perilous circumstances. This collaboration not only underscores the importance of academic freedom and humanitarian support but also highlights our ongoing dedication to fostering a safe and nurturing environment for scholars in need.

The Importance of Our Partnership with CARA

For nearly 15 years, our institution has proudly partnered with CARA (the Council for At-Risk Academics), providing essential funds to support at-risk fellows on an annual basis. CARA, which celebrated its 90th anniversary last year, has utilised these funds to assist fellows in completing their studies and postdoctoral research at our university. This enduring relationship has been bolstered by the significant time contributions made by our university community, who go above and beyond their regular duties to support at-risk academics worldwide. This collaborative effort is a key component of our work to become a University of Sanctuary, demonstrating our commitment to humanitarian support.

Supporting At-Risk Academics: Reham Hammadi and Dr Fateh Shaban

Since 2015 the University has supported eight CARA recipients from Syria, Iraq and Turkey. Most recently, our university has extended support to Reham Hammadi, a third-year studentship recipient, and Dr Fateh Shaban [pictured above], a second-year visiting fellow. Dr Anthony Manning, Dean for Global and Lifelong Learning, and Hayley Snoding, International Project Officer, met recently with Dr Shaban who provided a profound insight into the challenges faced by refugee academics. He shared his experiences of seeking employment, adapting to a new environment, and the critical role CARA’s programmes played in supporting Syrian academics. Dr Shaban also recounted his time as a representative of the National Syrian Coalition to the Syria Recovery Trust Fund, where he faced significant obstacles in delivering humanitarian aid to the Northwest of Syria due to political interference. He also talked about his work as an academic and his endeavour to support Syrian academics in the Northwest of Syria and in the diaspora. Dr Shaban emphasised the importance of direct and open communication in academic culture, career development, networking, and collaboration opportunities.

Who Are CARA?

Founded in 1933 by leading British academics and scientists in response to the expulsion of scholars from German universities on racial grounds, CARA is dedicated to the relief of suffering and the defence of learning and science. Over the decades, CARA has saved thousands of academics, although many more still require assistance. As a unique charitable organisation, CARA is deeply embedded in the UK higher education and research community, with 65% of UK institutions actively engaged in its work. CARA’s growing network of international partners extends its reach globally.

Dr Fateh Shaban’s Experience and Research

Dr Shaban, specialising in Human Geography, is currently collaborating with colleagues from the University of Kent and other British Universities. He expressed immense gratitude for the support provided by the School of Anthropology and Conservation, particularly in helping his children find schools and settle in the UK. Initially mentored by Robert Fish, he later found a valuable mentor and friend Jonathan Rock, who assisted him in submitting a research funding proposal and applying for a British Academy grant related to international aid and fieldwork. Recently, Dr Shaban attended a roundtable event, further enriching his academic journey. He is attending the RGS-IBG Annual International Conference in London in late August to share the findings of his current research with the broader academic community.

The Impact of CARA on Dr Shaban’s Career

Facing numerous challenges in his career, Dr Shaban graduated as a lecturer in 2003 and completed his PhD in 2013. After relocating to Turkey in 2014, he struggled to find work in Turkey due to the language barrier. Joining the CARA Syria programme in 2017, he found remarkable support, particularly through workshops and networking opportunities in the UK. His experiences illustrate the profound impact CARA can have on at-risk academics, offering them a lifeline and enabling them to continue their important work.

The Necessity of Continued Support for CARA

Dr Shaban’s story is a testament to the transformative impact of CARA’s support. However, this support is limited to two years, and with this period nearing its end, he and his family face the possibility of returning to Turkey, where the situation remains unchanged. His family has successfully integrated into UK society, with his children in school and his wife employed part-time. The continuation of CARA’s funding is crucial to maintaining this stability and supporting at-risk academics like Dr Fateh Shaban.

Upholding the values of academic freedom

As our institution applies to become a place of sanctuary for refugees, stories like Dr Shaban’s highlight the vital importance of our continued support for CARA. By fostering a safe and supportive environment for at-risk academics, we uphold the values of academic freedom, humanitarianism, and intellectual diversity. It is imperative that we sustain and expand our efforts to support those who face perilous conditions, ensuring they can continue their valuable contributions to academia and society.

Celebrating the Twinning Collaboration with Kherson State University

Article by Hayley Snoding | International Projects Officer

A Heartwarming Partnership

The Global and Lifelong Learning team were delighted to welcome staff and students from Kherson State University (KSU) recently for an academic mobility visit, bespoke short-course, and tour of the University and City. This visit is a remarkable testament to the twinning collaboration between our institutions, forged in June 2022 as part of the five-year Twinning Initiative backed by the UK government, Universities UK, and Cormack Consultancy Group.

The Twinning Initiative: Fostering Solidarity and Exchange

The Twinning Initiative offers a unique opportunity for universities in the UK and abroad to promote resource sharing, cultural exchange, support, and solidarity with institutions affected by ongoing conflicts. Over the past two years, we have provided support to KSU through the donation of IT and technical equipment, delivery of English classes, guest lectures, and supporting the online English Speaking Club and current affairs discussions for KSU students and academic colleagues.

Cherishing Cultural Connections

In March 2023, an art exhibition was launched at our University to mark the opening of this collaborative partnership. KSU staff presented their remarkable book, “Chronicles of a Displaced University,” documenting their thoughts and memories of their lives relocated to a new city. This poignant exhibition served as a powerful reminder of the resilience and determination of our colleagues at KSU.

A Visit Filled with Inspiration and Hope

As we welcomed the Vice Rector, Alla Tsapiv, and a group of students from KSU in June 2024, our campus was filled with a renewed sense of hope and inspiration. During their visit, they learned about cultural awareness and leadership skills, visited various locations, and on 17 June, Kent staff and students were treated to a captivating demonstration of Ukrainian culture and an opportunity to network with the Kherson staff and students.

Vice Rector, Alla Tsapiv, reflecting on the trip, said:

“It has been a wonderful opportunity to create lovely memories and cultural opportunities. Our students were so excited to travel by plane, as some have never been on one. It has been wonderful for them to improve their English language. One of the main benefits of this partnership is the emotional stability that it provides to us.”

University colleagues and students were treated to a mesmerizing dance performance by Yevheniia Spivakovska, a Lecturer in English at KSU. Two of the students, Kateryna and Victoriia then sang in their native language, expressing their strength, resilience, and love for their homeland – a powerful reminder of the indomitable human spirit.

The event was described by staff as profoundly moving and impactive, providing a wonderful opportunity to meet the Vice Rector and forge deeper connections.

Yevheniia Spivakovska demonstrating Ukrainian dance

Voices of Solidarity and Admiration

Shane Weller, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Innovation, reflecting on the networking session, shared:

“It was a great pleasure to meet with colleagues and students from KSU at the networking session on 17 June. We had the opportunity to see traditional dancing and listen to some very moving songs, as well as to learn more about how staff and students at KSU have coped with the impact of the war. It was an incredibly moving event, and listening to the students tell of their experiences, and of how the collaboration has helped them, was a powerful reminder of the difference that the University can make. I very much look forward to our continuing this very important collaboration.”

Hilary Edridge, Head of Philanthropy and Alumni Relations, expressed her profound admiration:

“Meeting the staff and students from KSU was profoundly inspiring. Hearing about their unwavering resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity is a testament to the indomitable human spirit. Their stories are not just ones of survival but of courage and hope.”

Anthony Manning, Dean for Global and Lifelong Learning, echoed these sentiments:

“We feel so lucky to have been twinned with KSU, and we’re so pleased that you have been able to visit us. Your strength and determination continue to impress and inspire us.”

A Poignant Reminder and Heartfelt Gratitude

This event, held as part of the Refugee Week events, served as a stark reminder that the devastation continues, and we offer our heartfelt thanks to the staff and students from KSU whose generosity and appreciation of the support offered by our University are clear to see. Their resilience and determination in the face of adversity are truly inspiring, and we are honoured to continue this important collaboration, fostering solidarity, cultural exchange, and hope for a better future.

If you would like further information on our relationship with Kherson State University you might also like to see the following:

English Speaking Club – A collaboration with Kherson State University, Ukraine

Twinning Voices – KSU & Kent – YouTube

Kent and Kherson State (Ukraine) universities sign historic twinning agreement

“Art Against War” Exhibition at Kent: An exhibition of art by students and graduates from Ukraine’s Kherson State University (KSU)

English Speaking Club – A collaboration with Kherson State University, Ukraine

By Hayley Snoding, International Project Officer, Global and Lifelong Learning

Kherson State University and the University of Kent have been collaborating since June 2022 as part of the UK-Ukraine Twinning Initiative. During that time we have provided support through the donation of IT and technical equipment, delivery of English classes, guest lectures and supporting the KSU online English Speaking Club and current affairs discussions.

My experience of being a part of English Club

I have been with Global and Lifelong Learning for 8 months now and one of my first projects was getting involved in our English Speaking Club with Kherson State University. I have to say I was a little apprehensive at first, who wouldn’t be? What did I know about being displaced, facing war, having to move away from family and friends, staying positive when facing such uncertainty.

What I found was inspiration and resilience from the Ukrainian students, opportunities to learn about Ukrainian culture and traditions, and even things I never knew about British history and traditions (Google has been my best friend on occasions).

I now look forward to our weekly sessions, which range from talking about books, films and fashion trends to world health, managing your finances and the path to academic success.

What the students say about English Club

I asked some of the students from Kherson State University what English Club means to them:

Maria, “I love it, I joined in 2021, before the war and during. It became quite significant as we are in different cities and locations. It is great to be whole again and not worrying about isolation. English speaking club has interesting themes and it is good to think about something pleasant and practice English. My favourite thing is it makes us a community.”

Alla, “I enjoy the intellectual exchange, discussion of interesting topics and hearing different opinions. Telling stories and jokes is a good way to unite with each other.”

Dimitro, “Very interesting conversation and good to hear from a native speaker.”

Serhii, “I love the ideas and being together. Joining makes learning and education pleasant.”

The English Speaking Club is led by Olena Stavenko, English Language Teacher at Kherson State University. Olena is always upbeat and makes every session fun and interactive. We start with an ice breaker question to get warmed up and then jump right into the topic. In the last year we have had contributions from one of Kent’s own Degree Apprentices and some of our Student Global Officers, who can offer their own insights into studying in the UK and how things differ in their own cultures.

Tuesday 28^th May was our last session for this academic year as there will be a break over the summer while the Ukrainian students take their exams. I wish them all every success in their exams. But there will be an opportunity for me to meet some of them when they visit us next month. It will be wonderful to meet some of them in person.

Want to get involved?

If you are interested in taking part in one of our English Speaking Club sessions in the next academic year, and joining in the discussions, please get in touch. It is a wonderful way of broadening your own development and understanding of cultural awareness.

Email: H.Snoding@kent.ac.uk to find out more.

Further information

Global and Lifelong Learning will be hosting a networking event with staff and students from Kherson State University on Monday 17^th June, 11:00-13:00. If you would like to join us, please complete the online form: https://forms.office.com/e/cTtZTkwEp6

You can also find out more about our collaboration with Kherson State University from the links below:

Twinning Voices – KSU & Kent – YouTube

Kent and Kherson State (Ukraine) universities sign historic twinning agreement

“Art Against War” Exhibition at Kent: An exhibition of art by students and graduates from Ukraine’s Kherson State University (KSU)

One of our English Speaking Club sessions held on zoom.

We start each session with an ice-breaker like this one.

Donate Clothes, Contribute to Sanctuary Initiatives

This Thursday 13 June, a new staff group called The Sanctuary Collective will launch – a way for us to do something helpful and productive for asylum seekers and refugees in our work time using a range of skills and interests that might not be part of our current roles.

One of the first initiatives will be a men’s clothing drive – encouraging staff, students, and friends to donate good quality men’s clothes for asylum seekers and refugees in our community.

What clothing can I give and how?

We’re looking for men’s clothes because in July we’re hosting a group of residents from Napier Barracks in Folkestone, many of whom arrived in the UK recently with just the clothes on their backs. As we are providing sporting activities on campus as part of an ‘Exploring Higher Education’ day, it would be great to be able to offer changes of clothes to participants (particularly sporty gear – t shirts, shorts, tracksuits, sweatshirts, trainers, socks).

Bring clean, useable men’s or unisex clothing to the Sanctuary Collective launch in Rutherford Lounge at 2pm on Thursday 13th June, or bring to Rutherford Annexe foyer (low building next to Rutherford College) whenever suits you Monday-Friday between 9-5pm – any questions, message Natalia on n.crisanti@kent.ac.uk

Why should I join the Sanctuary Collective?

Be a part of the University’s civic mission in your paid Kent volunteering hours, and spend some time in your working life doing something that has a real practical impact on a part of our society that’s often overlooked or even stigmatised.

Grow your transferable skills and contacts as you meet people from across the university and work together on projects that give you another perspective, as you share and gain knowledge with colleagues about civic mission, philanthropy, events and communications.

In agreement with your line manager, you can use your staff volunteering hours to do this meaningful socially useful work as part of the 25 hours’ of volunteering time you get per year (pro-rata for part-time staff.) More information on volunteering and how to record your volunteering hours can be found on the People and Culture SharePoint site.

I’m interested – what next?

Join our sympa mailing list via our online form to be invited to meetings and activities, and participate in our first in-person launch meeting in Refugee Week:

The Sanctuary Collective Launch, 2-3pm on Thursday 13 June, in Rutherford Lounge – an informal meeting to see who we are and discuss ideas about what we can do to shape and mobilise the collective. By signing up via the form, you will be invited to this and future events.

Look forward to seeing you there!

Conserving collective learning from two decades of welcoming refugees in Kent

The University of Kent’s Special Collections and Archives are delighted to be working with the Kent Refugee Action Network on the KRAN Family Matters: Kent Refugee Action Network 20th Anniversary Heritage Project. This is a project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to celebrate the 20th anniversary of KRAN by recording oral histories with the people involved with the organisation.

The project aims to learn the story of the organisation first-hand, from the people involved in setting it up and realising its vision to support under-age asylum seekers. During the project, KRAN’s Youth Ambassadors will be trained in Oral History techniques, and will interview those involved in the organisation, recording and conserving the collective learning gained from two decades of working to welcome refugees in Kent.

The oral histories will provide a record of the challenges and successes in KRAN’s history through stories and experiences passed down from founders, volunteers, staff and supporters. The project team will be working to fill gaps, bring in new perspectives and give voice to people excluded from traditional historical records.

Special Collections and Archives at the University of Kent will be providing a permanent home for the KRAN oral history collection, and ensure they are catalogued and preserved using professional standards, and made accessible according to data protection and confidentiality requirements.

Do you want to get involved?

We also have a great opportunity for students or staff to get involved with the project by contributing to transcriptions for the oral histories being recorded. This is an ideal opportunity to learn more about KRAN and the work they do with refugees in Kent, and also build skills in oral history transcriptions and producing transcription summaries. All training will be provided and the work can be done entirely remotely. If you are interested in this opportunity please do get in touch with Beth Astridge in Special Collections and Archives: SpecialCollections@kent.ac.uk

Academics collaborate to enhance higher education provision in Syria

Academics from two Eastern Arc universities are co-leading a collaboration with Sham University to enhance higher education provision in the non-regime-controlled northwest of Syria, as part of ongoing work supported and facilitated by the Cara – Council for At Risk Academics – Syria Programme.

Sham University is located in the town of Azaz, which has received huge numbers of internally displaced people (IDPs) since 2014. Approximately fifty percent of Sham’s students live in IDP camps, and the remainder are drawn from towns in Azaz and surrounding areas.

HE institutions in northwest Syria face many challenges. The pool of qualified staff is small, resources are severely limited, and security threats are commonplace. Despite these challenges however, Sham is developing a reputation for high quality HE provision and has signed memoranda of understanding with a small number of Turkish universities, which allow Sham graduates to progress on to master courses.

Since summer 2022, this collaboration has focused on governance, quality enhancement, staff development, and education design. At face-to-face workshops in Turkey and regular online meetings, academics from Sham have worked closely with UK colleagues to review existing policies and practices and to balance meeting international standards with addressing local challenges and needs. Achievements so far include a committee structure, ensuring democratic decision-making at all levels from individual departments to the University Council, and redesigned undergraduate programmes in selected faculties to support sustainability, optimise resilience to risk, allow for module-sharing across courses and address uneven workloads for students and staff.

In the current phase of the project, Dr Tahir Zaman (Sussex), Dr Tom Parkinson (Kent) and Professor Aysha Divan (Leeds) are mentoring teams of Sham researchers to undertake small-scale action research projects, each addressing strategic priorities identified by staff, students, and community stakeholders. Areas of focus include addressing gender disparities in participation in higher education in the region, designing curricula that meet the needs of the local community and labour market, and devising university-wide elective modules to enhance transferable skills across all programmes.

Additionally, Dr Juliet Millican (IDS, based at Sussex) and Dr Luma Tabbaa (Kent) are currently delivering a second webinar series focusing on teaching methods. Dr Julia Hope (Kent), Dr Fateh Shaban (Kent) and Nidal Ajaj (Kent) are mentoring Sham lecturers to prepare applications for Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA).

The team are always looking for volunteers to contribute as mentors, facilitators, or critical friends. Please contact Tom Parkinson (t.parkinson@kent.ac.uk) if you are interested.

If you’d like to know more about the Cara Syria Programme, which supports at-risk Syrian academics to continue their academic work, contact Kate Robertson, Syria Programme Director at robertson@cara.ngo.

Join the Sanctuary Collective – Use Your Skills to Make a Difference

Do you want to do something helpful and productive for asylum seekers and refugees in our University and local community but don’t know where to start?

Join Kent’s new Sanctuary Collective, meet other staff members from across the university, and help us drive the Sanctuary programme forward.

What can I get involved with?

The projects within the Sanctuary Programme at Kent are varied and so all kinds of skills and availability are welcome to take on remote tasks and on campus tasks.

Initiatives that might benefit from staff volunteering input include:

Helping to welcome and give guided campus tours to visitors such as those seeking asylum housed in the local area, groups of unaccompanied migrants, cohorts from our Ukraine twinning programme;
English conversation/ social groups online;
Communications and events support for fundraising events;
Volunteering with Sanctuary-themed library archive projects;
Organising and promoting clothing donation drives;
Collaboration with student volunteers and groups such as STAR (Student Action for Refugees);
Collaboration with nearby charitable organisations supporting those seeking Sanctuary in our community

This list is just the beginning! Together as Kent staff, we will continue to identify and embrace new opportunities and initiatives that we can meaningfully address as a collective.

What’s in it for me?

I’m interested – what next?

Join our sympa mailing list via our online form to be invited to meetings and activities, and a Teams chat to share ideas. Together we can make a difference.

Exploring Higher Education and Looking Towards the Future: Asylum Seekers Warmly Welcomed at Kent

I was delighted to welcome 38 residents and friends from the Napier Barracks in Folkestone to our Canterbury campus this week, to provide information on opportunities for continued education if and when they are granted leave to remain. The group of young men came from over 10 different countries and spoke a mixture of languages, interpreting amongst themselves for those with less English fluency, with some additional translation provided by Kent staff. Having interrupted higher education studies and specialised jobs when they fled their home countries to seek asylum in the UK, they were keen to see first hand what an educational experience here might be like and how they could access it.

[Photo above shows Admissions talk on getting a place at University]

Encouragement and practical guidance

Their visit began in the Templeman Library, and included a welcome from two of our first year Sanctuary Scholarship students, themselves refugees, who are now thriving at the University of Kent. They encouraged others to hold fast through the demoralising uncertainty and continue to reach for their ambitions of completing or beginning studies in the UK. Colleagues from our Admissions and Visa Compliance teams were able to provide guidance on entry requirements, personal statements, application processes and English courses. They were also able to give time to addressing individual queries on next steps to re-enter education or validate their qualifications to seek employment here.

[Photo above shows individual consultations on qualifications and next steps]

Enjoying the campus together

The atmosphere was joyful as we shared a hot meal in the Rutherford Dining Hall, some played pool and others chatted, enjoying the impromptu piano playing of a student and the views of the vast open space that surrounds our campus. We then walked around campus, through the bluebell woods and to the Kent Community Oasis Garden, where language barriers fell away when everyone was invited to get their hands in the soil and plant bulbs and seeds. A participant told me what a stark and beautiful contrast it was to be surrounded by so much countryside, and experience novelty and a sense of freedom and agency, after 9 weeks in limbo in the barracks.

As we discussed the patience required to make things grow and our volatile UK climate, we were reminded of the precarity of life in detention as an asylum seeker, of how much is out of their control. And yet, if we plant seeds, if we look with hope towards the future and nurture what is in our power to sustain, we might one day see growth and new life.

[Photo above shows planting activity in Kent Community Oasis Garden]

Making a lasting difference

The gratitude and positivity from the group was effusive, they were really happy to have spent a day being considered as individuals with a past involving expertise and academic interest, and a future of possibility and hope.

“Thank you so much for a beautiful welcome, we are so glad to be here.”

“Everyone has been so kind and so helpful. I have ideas about what I could do, I really want to study and learn.”

[Photo above participants enjoying lunch at Rutherford Dining Hall]

Help us give more hope

Huge thanks to YMS Travel who generously offered free return transportation for this group from Folkestone to Canterbury, as a supporter of the University Sanctuary Fund.

We’re working to expand our programme of Exploring Higher Education days for asylum seekers in the region, to share our university knowledge, expertise and facilities in a way that can inspire and inform people with an uncertain future and help them to realise their dreams in the UK.

Would you like to be part of this initiative in some way? Email us at engagement@kent.ac.uk to talk about sponsoring or supporting, or volunteering to contribute to organisation, interpretation and activities at the University of Kent, so together we can really show our compassion in action and declare whole-heartedly: refugees welcome.

Kent welcomes University of Sussex to Eastern Arc

The University of Sussex has joined the universities of Kent, East Anglia and Essex to become the fourth member of the Eastern Arc research consortium.

At a ceremony at the Royal Society in London on 11 January 2024, the vice-chancellors of the four universities signed a memorandum of understanding that will support joint working in research, education, innovation, knowledge exchange, training, and equipment-sharing.

Launched in 2013, Eastern Arc has grown to be a significant regional catalyst for collaboration and cooperation, resulting in over £10m of funding for partnerships between two or more of the member institutions since 2020.

The Consortium has increasingly advocated for and led on issues of particular importance to the greater southeast of England, including coastal deprivation, food, diet and nutrition, and heritage, culture and placemaking. A series of Eastern Arc events has brought together academics and stakeholders to explore these issues, leading to reports which are helping policymakers and directing our future collaborations.

Within the universities, it has supported the development of a positive research culture, opening up training across the consortium, launching an Imaging Platform Alliance, and establishing an innovative mentoring scheme that has matched over 230 academics, technicians and professional services staff for their professional development.

‘I am excited to welcome Sussex to the consortium,’ said Phil Ward, Director of Eastern Arc. ‘The University, with its open, interdisciplinary and creative outlook, is a natural fit with us. It shares a similar geographic location and complementary research strengths but, just as importantly, it has the same ethos, encouraging interdisciplinarity and being ‘disruptive by design’’.

Professor Sasha Roseneil, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sussex, said: ‘We are delighted to be joining the Eastern Arc research consortium. Membership of Eastern Arc means committing to advancing and energising our collaborations with three great campus-based, research-intensive universities that are both geographically close to Sussex, and that are engaged in solving some of society’s greatest challenges in order to make both our part of the UK and the wider world a better place.’

Professor Karen Cox, Kent’s Vice-Chancellor and President, commented: ‘I am delighted to welcome the University of Sussex to Eastern ARC as the consortium continues to build on its collaborative research strengths and provide new opportunities for our research staff. By working more closely together in areas of common interest we make a greater positive impact across our regions, which will be more important than ever in the years ahead.’

In 2024 the Consortium will develop its strategy for the next five years, supporting the creative, civic and impactful work of its members, and ensuring that the work of regional, dual-intensive universities plays a central role in addressing the key issues that face the country.

Kent Community shared festive wishes and support for University’s Sanctuary students

A memorable Christmas celebration

We were delighted to welcome community members, staff, and students to the University of Kent’s Canterbury Campus on Tuesday 12th December for Carols Around the Christmas Tree. It was an opportunity for us to come together to celebrate the season, sing carols, listen to a performance by the Canterbury 4 Ukraine Ladies Choir, and hear more about the University’s sanctuary programme.

The STAR (Student Action for Refugees) student group read some extracts from the Refugee Tales to reflect on the experiences of detainees in the UK. We heard from Philip Pothen and Sam Scott on the University’s plans to continue fundraising to support our Sanctuary Scholars, and how together we can help refugees and asylum seekers pursue their dreams.

All were invited to add their wishes to our Christmas tree, and think about what we could contribute in terms of time, expertise and donations to grow our work in making a real difference to local asylum seekers and refugees, and provide a transformative experience to our student scholars.

Student, staff and community attendees then enjoyed mince pies and mulled wine and mulled apple juice together.

What are Sanctuary Scholarships?

We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to access higher education whatever their background. We currently have 11 students on Sanctuary Scholarships, giving refugees and asylum seekers the opportunity to receive a free University of Kent education, with a full fee waiver as well as a small maintenance grant.

Thanks to a generous supporter, every gift to the Sanctuary Fund this season will be matched, meaning that with Gift Aid, every pound you give now is worth two pounds fifty!

This Christmas as you plan presents for friends and family, please consider giving the gift of contributing to someone’s education and ability to support themselves while they study here. Give to the Sanctuary Fund online.