It could well be that soon dozens of refugees from Ukraine will be taking classes at Radboud University. Most faculties have opened courses for the refugees. Students who want to help can sign up as a buddy.

It is not the first time that the university has invited refugees to come and study on campus this academic year. This also happened when refugees were staying in the refugee centre at Heumensoord. Then it was mainly about Afghan evacuees.

With the arrival of many Ukrainians, this project has been given a new lease of life. In the next period, which starts in April, some thirty courses are open to refugees.

All people with a refugee background are welcome, provided they can handle the level. They can also be refugees with a nationality other than Ukrainian, as well as asylum seekers without residence permits.

Recognition

Lia Kleuskens, the university’s refugee policy coordinator, has already noticed a need for academic education among Ukrainians who fled their country. Nevertheless, she does not expect a large number of applications from Ukrainian refugees. ‘That might be different at the beginning of the new academic year, when there are more Ukrainians in the Netherlands and they have been here for a while.’

According to Kleuskens, it can be very valuable for refugees to attend lectures soon after arriving in the Netherlands. ‘Out of nowhere these people have had to flee their country. Going to university again, just like they did at home, can provide recognition. For some people, it can give meaning to their identity after that experience of flight.’

Kleuskens also thinks that the quality of education can be improved by admitting refugees. ‘Diversity is always of added value. Refugees bring different perspectives to the lecture hall.’