Royal Holloway is collaborating with Mosaik Education, an international non-governmental organisation working to close the gap in university access for refugees and people affected by crisis, and building educational opportunities for refugee learners.
The University will join Mosaik's Global Response Platform, which co-ordinates efforts across multiple UK universities and enables them to act together in response to crises affecting students and higher education overseas.
By mobilising shared expertise and vision, it aims to generate tangible benefits for individuals and wider communities – not least through the vital role universities can play in post-conflict reconstruction.
The partnership extends Royal Holloway's existing work as a University of Sanctuary and wider strategic commitment to social purpose and global opportunity.
The issues it addresses are pressing: according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) – for which Mosaik is the UK National Partner – the total number of people forcibly displaced recently reached 117 million worldwide, with only 9% of these accessing university.
Professor Julie Sanders, Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Royal Holloway, University of London, said: "I'm enormously proud that Royal Holloway is partnering with Mosaik on this important work, responding to global challenge and collaborating as a sector to open up opportunities for students affected by conflict and crisis, and who face extraordinary challenges in accessing education.
"Helping with this access and indeed supporting them to thrive in higher education, will contribute to our wider Sanctuary work, which is core to our mission and vision as a University of Social Purpose.
"I so look forward to working together with Mosaik to achieve more for these students and the global higher education community."
Mosaik founder and Chief Executive Officer Ben Webster added: "Royal Holloway has long been committed to sanctuary and support for displaced communities.
"We are delighted to have them join the Global Response Platform, bringing their commitment to a collective effort across the UK higher education sector to create opportunities for students affected by conflict, and crisis-affected communities beyond the UK."
