Keyano Ready to Host First Refugee Student

It’s about the future, it’s about the present. And it’s about starting over. Keyano College is looking forward to warmly welcome our first ever refugee student from Lebanon this month. Hosted in partnership with the World University Service of Canada’s (WUSC) Student Refugee Program (SRP), this is an initiative, which supports young refugees from countries such as Kenya, Malawi, Syria, and Jordan to continue their education in safe and supportive environments on Canadian campuses across the country.  

According to their official website, “WUSC is a Canadian non-profit organization working to create a better world for all young people. We bring together a diverse network of students, volunteers, schools, governments, and businesses who share this vision. Together, we foster youth-centered solutions for improved education, economic, and empowerment opportunities to overcome inequality and exclusion in over 15 countries across Asia, Africa, and the Americas.” 

Since 1978, World University Service of Canada’s Student Refugee Program has enabled more than 2,000 refugees to settle in Canada as permanent residents and pursue post-secondary education. Keyano made the decision to support the WUSC SRP in 2020, as this is one of the strategic priorities for the College’s Strategy for International Education and Global Citizenship 2020-2023 and advances its efforts towards contributing to international development. 

Dr. Sandra Efu, Dean, School of University Studies, Career Programs & Academic Upgrading at Keyano and Kryston (Krys) Munnings, Team Lead, Student Life & International Education, Student Services for the College elaborate.   

“Recognizing the role of higher education institutions in fostering inclusion, sustainable development, and social peace, we as a College find it important to mobilize on this initiative and join over 90 other Canadian institutions in providing young refugees students with the opportunity to continue their education in a safe and supportive environment.” 

The refugee student (name withheld for smooth onboarding) will work directly with a local committee comprised of internal and community stakeholders tasked with integrating the student on arrival. There are initiatives in place to ensure the student is supported in the duration of their 12-month sponsorship at Keyano. 

“Keyano’s Student Services has several programs that support incoming and returning students. These include: Wellness Services, Academic Success Centre, Library, International Education Office, Student Life, and Accessibility Services to name a few. The Students’ Association of Keyano College (SAKC) also plays a critical role in supporting a positive student experience and is a critical partner in supporting and onboarding students at the College.” 

The WUSC SRP operates both overseas and in Canada to facilitate and ensure the success of the sponsorships. Students can’t apply directly for the initiative. While our local committee is welcoming the SRP student on campus, WUSC and their overseas partners are in the field in various countries recruiting, selecting, training, and preparing SRP candidates for resettlement in Canada. Once refugees have been selected, WUSC matches each successful candidate with a particular local committee and post-secondary institution, taking into account the refugee’s personal needs and preferences, the sponsoring local committee’s capacity, and the institution’s admission requirements. 

Carolyn McKee, Senior Program Officer, Student Refugee Program (SRP) notes, “WUSC is excited to partner with Keyano College to implement the Student Refugee Program, along with more than 100 other post-secondary institution partners across the country.” 

“The partnership with Keyano College was initiated when WUSC staff attended the Canadian Bureau of International Education conference in late 2019 and connected with Sandra Efu, then Manager of International Education at Keyano College. Having experience with WUSC’s successful refugee sponsorship model at another institution, Dr. Efu was passionate about replicating the experience at Keyano College and providing an opportunity to a student from a refugee background to continue their education and access permanent residence in Canada.” 

“WUSC coordinates the recruitment and selection of 150+ high achieving students in seven countries of asylum identified by WUSC to be resettled in Canada. The student matched to the College will benefit from Keyano’s wrap-around support for international students, though the student will have permanent residence upon arrival. For example, they can access Keyano’s English language programs. The student will then be supported to explore their academic interests in one of Keyano’s programs, which can help them achieve their goals,” McKee adds. 

Dr. Efu and Munnings agree.  

“We look forward to meeting the student on arrival and introducing them to the larger community when they’ve settled in,” they enthused. 

For more information about our programs, view our A-Z Programs page.