The Vrije Universiteit Brussel came up with the Welcome Student Refugees Programme in 2015. The refugees can register at a website to enroll just like any other student. So far 18 student refugees have been accepted and are starting their study as of September. Another 70 refugees are waiting to finalise their enrollment, pending language certificates.
The Vrije Universiteit Brussel considers helping refugees as part of her social responsibility. Helping them through science and education, two of the VUB’s strong suits, is a priority. Rector Paul De Knop: ‘the government has decided to take in these refugees, so it is our duty to help them be a part of our society’. The university is known to be progressive concerning ethical topics like this one, abortions or equal rights in the past. She also offered homeless people refuge in 2008 and in 2011.
The VUB magazine ‘Henri’ has refugees as one of the themes. The magazine will be available on September 26, registration to receive ‘Henri’ for free is possible through this link.
Read the story of some of the (pre-) enrolled refugees:
“Bon voyage, Antoine”
het verhaal van Antoine Bakhash
http://www.vubtoday.be/nl/content/%E2%80%9Cbon-voyage-antoine%E2%80%9D
“The first enemy of any dictatorship is knowledge”
The story of Basel Addoum
http://www.vubtoday.be/nl/content/%E2%80%9C-first-enemy-any-dictatorship-knowledge%E2%80%9D
"Eindelijk kan ik met mijn toekomst beginnen"
Na vier jaar wachten start Sulafa Abdulghani met haar studies farmacie
http://www.vubtoday.be/nl/content/eindelijk-kan-ik-met-mijn-toekomst-beginnen
The story of Yazan Rajab
“I have learned how important it is to never give up hope”
http://www.vubtoday.be/en/content/story-yazan-rajab
Engineering Hope
Modar Saad’s story
http://www.vubtoday.be/nl/content/engineering-hope