The Center for Strategic Studies (CSS) organized a conference at the University of Jordan on December 18, 2018 to present and discuss the primary findings of a research project on Syrian refugee students in Jordanian universities.
The research project entitled “The Educational Challenge: Identifying Barriers and Seizing Opportunities in Higher Education for Syrian Refugees in Jordan – Policy Recommendations and Future Strategies” is implemented by the Center for strategic Studies (CSS) as part of the Grant scheme of the HOPES project (Higher and Further Education Opportunities and Perspectives for Syrians). It is funded by the European Union’s Regional Trust Fund in response to the Syrian Crisis, the ‘Madad Fund’ and supervised by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) together with the British Council, Campus France and Nuffic – the Dutch organisation for internationalisation in education.
The purpose of the project is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the circumstances and conditions of Syrian refugees enrolled in Jordanian higher education institutions, in order to identify barriers and obstacles related to access and successful completion of higher education as well as to identify opportunities for increasing access to HE and better educational outcomes.
The final project output will consist of scientific evidence and policy recommendations needed for the formulation of solid evidence-based policy and practice of invested actors in the region as well as in Europe. The implementation of the project involves a mixed-methods approach through quantitatively surveying Syrian refugees as well as qualitatively inquiring into the experiences and perspectives of involved actors (policy makers, educational providers, practitioners and eligible youth) through focus groups. The duration of the project is 12 months.