UK ENIC attends Alsama Project celebration
UK ENIC was among guests invited to celebrate the work of the Alsama Project earlier this month.
Chris Lyons, UK ENIC’s Head of Policy and Engagement, spent the evening learning about the award-winning organisation, which helps to educate young refugees and displaced teenagers in some of the world’s war-affected areas.
Students study a holistic programme they co-created with the founders from Britain, Syria and Germany, with subjects including Arabic, art, English, employability skills, maths and competitive sports.
The event at Lords Cricket Ground (UK) included a keynote speech from Lord Alfred Dobbs, a veteran Labour peer and former child refugee who arrived in the UK in the late 1930s.
UK ENIC attended the event as part of its work to support the recognition of qualifications held by refugees, displaced persons and persons in a refugee-like situation.
Members seeking guidance on recognition of refugee qualifications - for example in respect of applicants who have incomplete documentation - can email us on [email protected].
Members with access to our online Member Enquiry Service can use that facility to get advice on a refugee’s overseas qualifications.
UK ENIC is able to assess qualifications, obtained outside of the UK, which are nationally recognised in the country of origin at the time of award, via our Statement of Comparability service. This includes school, vocational and higher education awards.
We also offer advice and resources to organisations dealing with refugees - admitting institutions, refugee welfare organisations, local authorities etc. The evaluation and verification of qualifications and skills of refugees presents particular challenges, especially missing or incomplete documentation.
UK ENIC has played a leading role in international initiatives on refugee recognition, such as the European Qualifications Passport for Refugees (EQPR). We also delivered the year-long ‘Syrians in Jordan’ project, which engaged with over 1,000 refugees.
The SIJ scheme provided recognition statements containing information about the levels of qualifications and skills of Syrian refugees living in Jordan, and gave guidance on work and study opportunities available.
This work has provided insights and experience in how recognition in cases of partial or missing documentation can be practically achieved and managed.