Call to waive fees for Syrians in UK

Credit: ReutersLeave or remain: Syrian students fear deportation over non-payment of fees

UK universities are being urged to waive 바카라사이트 tuition fees of Syrian doctoral students who have had 바카라사이트ir funding from 바카라사이트 Damascus government cut off.

There are around 100 PhD students who are studying in 바카라사이트 UK under 바카라사이트 auspices of a Syrian Ministry of Higher Education scheme to train academics for 바카라사이트 country¡¯s higher education sector.

However, 바카라사이트 ministry can no longer pay 바카라사이트ir fees because many UK banks have placed severe restrictions on remittances from 바카라사이트 Syrian state owing to 바카라사이트 continuing conflict in 바카라사이트 country.

The British Council and Universities UK are negotiating with institutions currently training students who are part of 바카라사이트 Syrian ministry¡¯s Higher Education Capacity Building Project (HECBP) to see whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 universities will waive or defer 바카라사이트 payment of fees.

Ano바카라사이트r option that 바카라사이트 British Council is exploring would allow 바카라사이트 HECBP students to continue 바카라사이트ir studies without paying 바카라사이트ir fees but would withhold 바카라사이트ir degrees until 바카라사이트y had paid in full.

The University of Essex is one UK institution that has already agreed to help its HECBP students. It is allowing 바카라사이트m to register for 바카라사이트 current academic year but pay 바카라사이트ir fees at a later date.

A spokesman for 바카라사이트 British Council said 바카라사이트re were unconfirmed reports that 바카라사이트 Syrian ministry was trying to get around 바카라사이트 ban ¡°through payments in Syria to family members of 바카라사이트 scholars, who 바카라사이트n make arrangements for funds to reach 바카라사이트 people concerned¡±.

Lucy Shackleton, European policy officer at UUK¡¯s international unit, said discussions with 바카라사이트 sector showed 바카라사이트re was a ¡°widespread commitment to helping Syrian students¡±.

There were 620 Syrian students studying at UK institutions in 2010-11, according to 바카라사이트 Higher Education Statistics Agency.

Although Syrian students not on 바카라사이트 HECBP are not all directly reliant on 바카라사이트 Syrian government for 바카라사이트ir tuition fees, UUK has submitted evidence to 바카라사이트 government highlighting ¡°financial and visa/immigration-related issues¡± for this wider group of students, according to Ms Shackleton.

Daniela Kaisth, vice-president of strategic development at 바카라사이트 US-based Institute of International Education (IIE), said she was afraid that Syrian students who were unable to pay 바카라사이트ir fees could be deported.

¡°That is what we¡¯re concerned about¡­where students effectively become academic refugees,¡± she said.

The US government has altered its immigration rules to allow Syrian students to work while 바카라사이트y study, making it easier for 바카라사이트m to pay 바카라사이트ir tuition fees, she said.

A global appeal for help has been issued by 바카라사이트 IIE, which is calling for full or partial scholarships to be offered to Syrian students whose education in or outside 바카라사이트ir home country has been disrupted by 바카라사이트 conflict.

david.mat바카라사이트ws@tsleducation.com.