In many of the countries in the world, education is a right, however, in some nations, due factors such as war or political repression, students face hurdles not present in the Western world.
The World University Service of Canada (WUSC) student refugee program enables students who have no opportunity for post-secondary education in their country to resettle in Canada as permanent resident to pursue their studies.
Launched in 1978, this program has already helped thousands students.
WUSC’s student refugee program has been active in Manitoba for the past 30 years. During that time, the University of Manitoba’s WUSC committee has sponsored approximately 20 students, coming from countries such as Afghanistan, Burma, Eritrea, Somalia and Sudan.
The program is aimed at helping students academically as well as giving them a network of support.
Mohamed Ali Abdi is one of the latest students to be sponsored through the program at the U of M. Arriving in Canada on August 22, Abdi said he had to wait about two years between the time he applied for the program and being resettled in Canada.
A student from Somalia, Abdi is studying civil engineering and said he is planning to work for a construction company after graduation.
“It is a transition in my life; I have to get used to everything,” Abdi said.
Without the support of the WUSC local committee, Abdi said the opportunity to complete his post-secondary education in Canada would not have been available to him.
The local committee works with university administration to provide students a space in residence and to help subsidize tuition fees. Abdi said the organization has also helped him to manage his education costs and integrate into university life.
Scott Hodgson and Kelly Crampton, co-chairs of the WUSC local committee, are in charge of what the local committee does and advise refugee students taking part in the program. With the help of 29 active committee members at the university, the program provides help to students starting out at U of M.
“We actively support the sponsored students for two years,” said Hodgson. “Nevertheless, we still help them after that if they need any support.”
