Syrian Futures, an outreach project of the Alwaleed Centre within Edinburgh University, organised a visit to the University of St Andrews as part of its strategy to form links between Universities of Sanctuary and the Syrian community in Scotland.
A group of 17 Edinburgh-based Syrian young people visited the University on Thursday the 13th of February and met students and staff who introduced them to the town, the university, student life, opportunities and societies.
The young people really enjoyed walking around the campus and learning about different aspects of university life. They then took part in a workshop with St Andrews PhD student, Nouha Idrees (School of Psychology and Neuroscience) on the Importance of self-compassion in adolescents.
Afterwards, the group had a really memorable handling session with archaeological material led by Prof. Rebecca Sweetman, Head of the School of Classics and Professor of Ancient History and Archaeology, who, as chair of the Refugee and Forced Mobility Network within the University, led the St Andrews initiative to become a University of Sanctuary, including the establishment of two Sanctuary Scholarship for the academic year 2020-2-0212
It was a greatly beneficial day, helping to build connections between the Universities of Edinburgh and St Andrews, both Universities of Sanctuary, and raise awareness among the Syrian community of different higher education options. It was a great pleasure to see how this visit motivated and inspired those who took part.
Syrian Futures extend their thanks to The University of St. Andrews for hosting them, and the lovely Syrian Futures volunteers who joined and supported the trip.
If your university would welcome a similar visit from the Syrian Futures group, please contact Outreach and Projects Coordinator Nadin Akta at [email protected].