Supporting those escaping conflict to access higher education
UTS is expanding its Humanitarian Scholarship Program to include an additional four places for those fleeing conflict in the Middle East.
From 2025, the number of scholarships on offer will increase from 20 to 24, to cater for asylum seekers from the Middle East, as part of UTS’s humanitarian response to conflicts around the world.
Many students are forced to abandon their education when fleeing their home countries, and face profound barriers to accessing higher education where they resettle.
Australia’s education policy classifies refugees without permanent protection visas as international students. As such, they are ineligible to access Commonwealth Supported Places or the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS). This significantly increases the costs associated with tertiary education, making it inaccessible to many.
‘Many refugees or those seeking asylum wait years for permanent visas, curtailing their own professional and personal development, reducing their ability to meet their potential and significantly impacting on their ability to earn wages and contribute to the economy,’ says Sonal Singh, Executive Manager, Student Equity and Access at UTS.
‘That’s why we established the UTS Humanitarian Scholarship, to help remove barriers to education for these individuals who have faced unimaginable hardship.’
Launched in 2017, the scholarship provides full tuition costs for students from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds to undertake undergraduate study at UTS, as well as a comprehensive support program. This includes:
- support with transition and on-boarding
- peer and academic mentoring
- paid internship opportunities
- graduate career help.
‘The program was conceived with a vision of inclusivity, empowerment and the recognition of the unique challenges that humanitarian entrants face in gaining access to university study,’ said Amanda Moors-Mailei, Manager, Policy and Advocacy (Student Equity) at UTS.
‘By actively involving and understanding the unique needs of humanitarian entrants, we’ve been really able to tailor our program to create meaningful opportunities and change lives,’ she says.
In 2024, there are 43 students in the UTS Humanitarian Scholarship Program. This is the largest cohort of students seeking asylum in Australia supported by a higher education institution.
For Mohammad Sakhvidi, UTS Humanitarian Scholarship alumni, and Founder and Director, TQN Personnel, the program not only provided him with career support, but led to the development of close personal relationships too.
‘The UTS Humanitarian Scholarship Program has played a pivotal role in shaping my life and career. The impact of the program through its mentorship and internship opportunities cannot be overstated. My academic and professional mentors not only guided my career and professional path, but also became a source of inspiration and support, and are now like family,’ he said.
For Neda Dowling, UTS Humanitarian Scholarship alumni, and Alumni Engagement Officer at the UNSW Business School, the program has further cemented her drive to ensure education is accessible to all humans, regardless of their background.
‘The scholarship really does exemplify UTS’s commitment to fostering diversity, inclusivity and social mobility. I’m so grateful for the impact of the UTS Humanitarian Scholarship on my life and I am more committed than ever to champion inclusive education and creating pathways for others to thrive.’
Outside of the scholarship, UTS is a member of the recently established Australian Chapter of Scholars at Risk Network, as well as the Australian Refugee Welcome University Sponsorship Consortium, a nationwide alliance which will work to co-design a blueprint for a proposed new, ground-breaking, education-led pathway for refugee resettlement in Australia.
‘As public purpose institutions, universities have a role to play in advocating for the rights of students from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds, as well as influencing policy to ensure that our world is a fair and just place for all people,’ says Sonal.
Find out more about the UTS Humanitarian Scholarship or donate to support these students.
