UNHCR Calls for Increased Investment in Refugee Higher Education and Jobs for Graduates

Kelly T. Clements, UN Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees, emphasized that without policy reforms, access to higher education alone cannot lead to lasting job prospects.

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has urged for more investment in higher education for refugees and greater access to employment opportunities for refugee graduates. Many refugees face barriers to higher education, such as exclusionary policies, high fees, and bureaucratic hurdles, limiting their potential to achieve sustainable livelihoods.

Kelly T. Clements, UN Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees, emphasized that without policy reforms, access to higher education alone cannot lead to lasting job prospects. "Greater investment in higher education for refugees is needed, as well as better access to the job market for graduates," she said.

While only 7% of the 4 million refugees aged 18 to 24 have access to higher education, this marks progress from just 1% in 2019. UNHCR's goal is to raise this to 15% by 2030 as part of the "15by30" global pledge.

Central to this effort is the Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative (DAFI) scholarship, which has enabled over 26,300 refugees to pursue higher education since its inception. In 2023, over 9,300 refugee students from 54 countries benefited from DAFI scholarships, with gender parity being a key goal, as women comprised 42% of recipients.

Many DAFI graduates, like Grace, a 25-year-old Congolese public health student in Burundi, are already making strides in leadership and community impact. However, challenges remain, with many refugee graduates facing legal and practical barriers to employment in their host countries.

The DAFI programme continues to address these challenges through career support, networking, and partnerships with employers. The UNHCR's Aiming Higher Campaign raised $8.8 million in 2023 to fund scholarships, further helping refugee students access higher education and post-graduate opportunities.