Queen’s University Belfast has today announced a number of measures to support both academics and students at risk across the world.

The University will be covering the cost of extending the existing Copty scholarship for Palestinians from one to four students. This is a fully paid, one-year postgraduate programme open to applicants with Palestinian nationality who live in Gaza or the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and belong to a family normally resident there.

Bilal Zedan, this year’s Copty a scholarship recipient and studying towards a master’s degree in Construction and Project Management, said:

“The Copty scholarship is the cornerstone of my career journey. It has enabled me to fulfil my potential and achieve my career plans. It really has been a life-changing experience. I dreamed for this all of my life - to come to the UK and complete a Master's degree. My advice to aspiring students considering to apply for a scholarship at Queen's is to go for it with all of your heart.”

To support academics from conflict-affected regions, Queen’s has partnered with the Council for At Risk Academics (Cara) to create and fund three Queen’s University Fellowships per year. These fellowships will run for two years and offer academics at risk around the world an opportunity to come to Queen’s to continue their academic pursuits safely.

Welcoming the news, Stephen Wordsworth, Executive Director at Cara said:

“We were delighted to hear this very good news from Queen’s. Over the past few years we have seen a very significant rise in the number of academics seeking our support to escape from immediate danger in Afghanistan, Ukraine, Sudan and elsewhere, including of course the Middle East and most recently Gaza.

 “They all need help to get away, with their families, to a safe place where they can continue their work until they can one day go back home to help rebuild. Generous awards like these change lives – in some cases, very probably even save lives. We very much look forward to working with Queen’s to follow up as quickly as possible.”     

Queen’s University has also announced plans to officially seek University of Sanctuary recognition. Through this process, the University will welcome people seeking sanctuary through facilitated access to higher education and support to local refugee communities.

Making today’s announcement, Queen’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Ian Greer said:

"Queen’s University has a long history of promoting global peace, conflict transformation and reconciliation and that is why, as an academic institution, we are redoubling our efforts through our research and teaching, and through our public and private spaces to promote routes to peace, reconciliation and justice.

 “These are important initiatives but we recognise they address symptoms, not causes. Like millions of people around the world, our university is deeply saddened by the events that have led to the harrowing loss of life in the Middle East, Ukraine and may other war zones, and the distressing and complex nature of such conflicts.”

 Queen’s Students’ Union President, Beth Elder added:

“I welcome the University’s commitment to providing safety and showing solidarity to those who are experiencing conflict across the world.  It reflects our determination to empower people who live in disadvantaged areas or in conflict zones to secure better lives for themselves, their families and communities.”

 

Media

Media enquiries to Queen’s Communications Office via email: comms.office@qub.ac.uk or tel: (028) 9097 3091