World Refugee Day: recognising the power of the Student Refugee Program
Every year, World Refugee Day (June 20) serves as a reminder of the strength of millions of people forced to flee their homes. It also forces us to look honestly at the systemic gaps that persist long after displacement occurs. Among the most critical of these gaps is access to higher education.
While higher post-secondary enrolment sits over 40% of youth worldwide, a recent UNHRC report reveals that only about 9% of refugee youth have access to advanced education. This statistic represents more than just a missed opportunity. It represents a loss of potential on a global scale. Higher education is not a luxury, rather it is a critical pathway to equip individuals with the tools to build independent futures, strengthen communities, and lead change.
The power of the Student Refugee Program
Recognising this challenge, Navitas North America partnered with World University Service of Canada (WUSC), a non-profit organisation driving positive education and economic change for young people around the world, to support the Student Refugee Program (SRP). Established in 1978, the SRP is unique because it recognises that an initial scholarship alone is not enough. It is the only program in the world that combines permanent resettlement with opportunities for higher education, offering a durable path forward.
By integrating academic enrolment with permanent residency, the program ensures that arriving students are not just visiting a campus but are building a permanent foundation for their futures in Canada. To date, this initiative has empowered nearly 3,000 young refugees from dozens of countries to continue their education in Canadian environments.
Cultivating community on campus
For Navitas and WUSC, this collaboration aligns directly with the priority of expanding access to education. To us, true access goes beyond tuition fees and admissions letters. It means dismantling non-academic barriers and creating a warm environment that can support SRP students through their academic journey in Canada.
This is where the true strength of community comes into play. While the national program often relies on student led groups, the success of the initiative at Fraser International College (FIC) relies on a dedicated Local Committee comprised entirely of passionate staff members.
Over the past few years, this staff led partnership has focused on supporting a student through their ongoing educational path. This multi-year journey highlights the immense value of having a consistent, deeply committed team of staff anchoring the sponsorship. From navigating Canadian winters and campus culture to offering long term academic mentorship and genuine social connection, these staff members provide the vital social fabric needed for a true sense of belonging.
Saviya Martina, FIC Local Committee member, who attended WUSC’s National Training last year, reflected on what it takes to support a student through this transition:
“[These] past [few] years have been a meaningful journey of growth and learning as I’ve worked to understand how best to support the SRP student at FIC. It’s not a one-size-fits-all process. It requires empathy, patience, and a deep appreciation for the complexity of their experience. One of the most important lessons has been learning to navigate the balance between honouring their emotional ties to their family and home country, while also encouraging and supporting their dreams for building a new life here in Canada.”
Looking forward
The global education gap for displaced youth remains a significant challenge, but the journey at FIC and other campuses across Canada show what is possible when people bring their practical, day to day dedication to the table. By working together, Navitas and WUSC have been able to combine global resettlement experience with direct, daily staff support, providing the multi-year stability a student needs to truly settle into their studies.
Highlighting the scope of this nationwide collaboration, Ashley Korn, Senior Manager of the Student Refugee Program at WUSC, notes:
“For nearly 50 years, WUSC’s Student Refugee Program (SRP) has provided life-changing opportunities for young refugees to pursue post-secondary education while rebuilding their lives in Canada. Since its launch, the SRP has supported the resettlement of more than 3,000 refugee students. This transformative opportunity for refugee youth is driven by partnerships on Canadian campuses. The SRP relies on students, staff and faculty that are committed to strengthening their communities by opening doors for displaced youth to access resettlement linked with education. Fraser International College is one of the many academic partners in Canada that contribute to this national effort and make the SRP possible.”
Reflecting on these experiences this World Refugee Day reminds us of the value of a supportive community. The consistency and care shown by the FIC Local Committee have been essential in making the college a welcoming space where empathy drives day to day interactions.