TWO At-Risk Fellowships have been launched by the University of Aberdeen to help students and scholars caught up in conflict across the world.
The new scheme draws on the University’s relations with the long-standing Council for At-Risk Academics – Cara – which supports scholars in immediate danger due to persecution, violence and conflict.
Beginning next month, the new Council for At-Risk Academics (Cara) Staff Fellowship will be awarded to an academic supported by Cara and will see the recipient employed by the University for up to two years.
The University At-Risk Fellowships for postgraduate students will see one Fellow hosted per year on a rolling basis. If the Fellow is a Masters student, their successor will be identified the following year. If the Fellow is a PhD student, the next beneficiary will be selected at the end of three years of study.
Tracey Slaven, University Secretary & Chief Operating Officer, at the University said:
“Higher education institutions in the UK have a long tradition of providing a ‘safe haven’ for scholars who find themselves at risk in their home country and are forced to flee from conflict and persecution. Aberdeen’s own institutional commitment to supporting scholars and students in this situation underpins our efforts toward becoming a University of Sanctuary.”
Last year the University launched a series of measures to help scholars and students affected by the war in Ukraine.
Professor Karl Leydecker, Senior Vice-Principal for the University of Aberdeen added:
“A package of bursaries, scholarships and other support measures for Ukrainian students was introduced and seven Ukrainian scholars were given Honorary Fellowships. We also helped with accommodation under the Homes for Ukraine scheme as part of our short-term response to an unprecedented situation.
“Now we hope our new Fellowship scheme will help academics and students impacted by conflicts elsewhere in the world.”
