Sciences Po partners with Kiron to help refugees return to their studies

On 22 June in Paris, Sciences Po and the German NGO Kiron signed a partnership agreement to enable refugee students in France to return to their studies. This agreement expands the Welcome refugees programme initiated in March 2016 by Alyette Trisch, a Sciences Po student involved in Kiron.

Through this partnership, Sciences Po will add to the range of study options available to Kiron students by offering courses in English and French in the social sciences. Kiron's first partnership with a higher education institution in France opens new academic opportunities for those who have had their studies interrupted by conflict in their home country.

In an interview for Sciences Po, Kiron France Programme Director Aurore Du Roy talks about the origins of the collaboration between Kiron and Sciences Po.

How did Sciences Po and Kiron come to work together?

In September 2015, some Sciences Po students visited several refugee camps in Paris and became aware of the needs of the people staying there, including in terms of education. They wanted to do something, and they came to the conclusion that the most effective action they could take was to create a language programme at their university, Sciences Po. That's how the Welcome Refugees programme at Sciences Po got started. But the students wanted to take things further by enabling the refugees to take an accredited degree programme. They contacted the cofounders of the German NGO Kiron which shares the same goal. Kiron’s confounders suggested that the Sciences Po students create a French branch of Kiron.

Which students is the programme designed for? What are the courses offered?

We want to attract students who have completed their secondary education but have been unable to begin any higher education, or have had to interrupt their studies. Above all, we are looking for people who are really motivated to earn a degree, regardless of their age or nationality. Currently, Kiron offers four study programmes: social sciences, IT, engineering and business.

Why is this partnership with Sciences Po important?

This is the first academic partnership Kiron has signed in France, so it's a major step forward for us! Sciences Po is a leading university and we are proud to have it among our partners. This partnership continues on from the language programme that started in March and so it confirms Sciences Po's commitment with Kiron to welcoming refugees. The agreement will enable participants to access Sciences Po’s online resources and a range of services for students.

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