Overview
Since 1992, the German government has funded the annual Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative (DAFI) to support tertiary education for deserving refugees worldwide. The programme grants scholarships to refugees at universities, colleges and polytechnics in their host countries. In 2008, the programme also started offering education opportunities in their countries of origin to refugees considering repatriation.
The DAFI programme contributes to skills development, empowerment and academic achievement as part of a broader UNHCR strategy of promoting self-reliance and durable solutions for refugees. Its main objectives are to achieve self-reliance by providing a higher education that will lead to gainful employment; develop qualified human resources among the displaced population and build the capacity and leadership of individual refugees for when they return home; support the refugee community in camps as qualified professionals, including teachers and community workers, until a durable solution is found; facilitate integration and contribute skills and qualified human resources to the host country if repatriation is not desired or not possible; and serve as a role model for other refugees to further their education, particularly female students.
While the numbers of DAFI students are small, their impact is huge because of their areas of expertise. Some work in business and government, others are employed by UNHCR and other United Nations agencies.
UNHCR provides, on a limited basis, scholarships for refugees at the tertiary level in
universities and polytechnic institutions through the Albert Einstein German
Academic Refugee Initiative Fund (DAFI). Funding for this programme is provided
by the Federal Government of Germany.
The purpose of the DAFI Programme is to contribute to the self-reliance of refugees
by providing them with a professional qualification for future employment.
Scholarships are granted only for studies in the country of asylum. Preferably,
UNHCR would like to see the graduates return home and contribute to the
reconstruction of their home country, or to the development of the country of asylum
or the refugee community at large.
Are DAFI scholarships available in every country?
DAFI scholarships are provided only in developing countries or countries in transition. DAFI programmes are mostly available in developing countries with a significant refugee population, mostly in Africa and Asia. There are also a limited number of DAFI scholarships in some countries of Eastern Europe and Latin America. Each year, more than 1,000 refugee students benefit from the programme. Because of its financial limitations, competition for scholarships is high and only a portion of the qualified candidates can be admitted to the programme. Therefore, selection criteria have been established which are to be strictly followed.
Who can apply?
In order to be eligible, a candidate should:
• be a refugee with recognised refugee status;
• have successfully completed secondary schooling to a high standard in campbased refugee schools, or in national schools of the country of origin or
asylum;
• have no other means of support for university studies;
• select a course of study that is likely to lead to employment in the country of origin;
• not be older than 28 years at the beginning of studies (An exemption could be applied to health and education courses of shorter duration provided to health staff and teachers with previous working experience or employment);
• select a choice of study course with maximum three to four years duration.
What are the selection procedures?
The selection process normally involves several steps from pre-selection to shortlisting and final decision by a Selection Committee, which will take place in the capital. Candidates who have to travel to the capital to be interviewed by the committee will not be reimbursed for their travel expenses. The final Selection Committee usually consists of UNHCR staff, a member of the German Embassy, other NGOs or organisations providing scholarships, UNHCR implementing partners in the education sector and staff of universities or other academic institutions, or the Ministry of Education or other government officials.
Which countries have a current DAFI programme?
In 2006/2007, the following countries are participating in the DAFI programme:
In Africa:
Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria,
Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and
Zimbabwe.
In Asia:
India, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Syria, Thailand and Yemen.
In Central- and South America:
Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Panama, and Uruguay.
In Eastern Europe:
Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Georgia, Russian Federation, and Serbia & Montenegro.
Further information, please visit: http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49e4a2dd6.html
Please kindly mention Scholarization.blogspot.com when applying for this scholarship
Since 1992, the German government has funded the annual Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative (DAFI) to support tertiary education for deserving refugees worldwide. The programme grants scholarships to refugees at universities, colleges and polytechnics in their host countries. In 2008, the programme also started offering education opportunities in their countries of origin to refugees considering repatriation.
The DAFI programme contributes to skills development, empowerment and academic achievement as part of a broader UNHCR strategy of promoting self-reliance and durable solutions for refugees. Its main objectives are to achieve self-reliance by providing a higher education that will lead to gainful employment; develop qualified human resources among the displaced population and build the capacity and leadership of individual refugees for when they return home; support the refugee community in camps as qualified professionals, including teachers and community workers, until a durable solution is found; facilitate integration and contribute skills and qualified human resources to the host country if repatriation is not desired or not possible; and serve as a role model for other refugees to further their education, particularly female students.
While the numbers of DAFI students are small, their impact is huge because of their areas of expertise. Some work in business and government, others are employed by UNHCR and other United Nations agencies.
UNHCR provides, on a limited basis, scholarships for refugees at the tertiary level in
universities and polytechnic institutions through the Albert Einstein German
Academic Refugee Initiative Fund (DAFI). Funding for this programme is provided
by the Federal Government of Germany.
The purpose of the DAFI Programme is to contribute to the self-reliance of refugees
by providing them with a professional qualification for future employment.
Scholarships are granted only for studies in the country of asylum. Preferably,
UNHCR would like to see the graduates return home and contribute to the
reconstruction of their home country, or to the development of the country of asylum
or the refugee community at large.
Are DAFI scholarships available in every country?
DAFI scholarships are provided only in developing countries or countries in transition. DAFI programmes are mostly available in developing countries with a significant refugee population, mostly in Africa and Asia. There are also a limited number of DAFI scholarships in some countries of Eastern Europe and Latin America. Each year, more than 1,000 refugee students benefit from the programme. Because of its financial limitations, competition for scholarships is high and only a portion of the qualified candidates can be admitted to the programme. Therefore, selection criteria have been established which are to be strictly followed.
Who can apply?
In order to be eligible, a candidate should:
• be a refugee with recognised refugee status;
• have successfully completed secondary schooling to a high standard in campbased refugee schools, or in national schools of the country of origin or
asylum;
• have no other means of support for university studies;
• select a course of study that is likely to lead to employment in the country of origin;
• not be older than 28 years at the beginning of studies (An exemption could be applied to health and education courses of shorter duration provided to health staff and teachers with previous working experience or employment);
• select a choice of study course with maximum three to four years duration.
What are the selection procedures?
The selection process normally involves several steps from pre-selection to shortlisting and final decision by a Selection Committee, which will take place in the capital. Candidates who have to travel to the capital to be interviewed by the committee will not be reimbursed for their travel expenses. The final Selection Committee usually consists of UNHCR staff, a member of the German Embassy, other NGOs or organisations providing scholarships, UNHCR implementing partners in the education sector and staff of universities or other academic institutions, or the Ministry of Education or other government officials.
Which countries have a current DAFI programme?
In 2006/2007, the following countries are participating in the DAFI programme:
In Africa:
Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria,
Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and
Zimbabwe.
In Asia:
India, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Syria, Thailand and Yemen.
In Central- and South America:
Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Panama, and Uruguay.
In Eastern Europe:
Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Georgia, Russian Federation, and Serbia & Montenegro.
Further information, please visit: http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49e4a2dd6.html
Please kindly mention Scholarization.blogspot.com when applying for this scholarship
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