Refugees and Asylum Seekers: a University Perspective

1
Refugees and Asylum Seekers a University
Perspective

• Harinder Lawley
• Head of Access development

2
Structure

• HE Strategy a modernising agenda
• Widening participation
• Regional planning
• London Metropolitan University
• Institutional issues and potentials

3
HE Strategy

• A modernising agenda
• Social inclusion and economic prosperity
• Learn to earn
• Buy now pay later (Fair Access)
• Research v teaching
• New forms of provision

4
The Context

• Currently a supply led system
• 166 centrally funded but autonomous higher
  education institutions (HEIs)
• 1.3 million students(FTEs)
• 40 HEIs in London with 256,764 students
• 50 participation target, with a 43 rate

5
Student Profile

• 74 full time undergraduates
• 5 full time postgraduates
• 51 women
• predominance of socio-economic groups 1 and 2
• differentiated representation across types of
  institutions

6
WP Policy and practice

• Targeting the hard to reach
• Offering alternative programmes
• (re-) Introducing maintenance awards
• Recognising costs in funding formulae
• Requiring WP strategies for fee increases
• Accountability

7
Regional planning

• RDAs and targets
• Pressure to talk and work across sectors
• Progression initiatives ( students views)
• Workforce and education development
• Centres of Excellence and Research Institutes
• Resources

8
London Metropolitan

• Largest single institution in London
• Circa 34,000 students
• 3,200 staff
• 13 sites
• 14 academic departments( inc applied social
  sciences, humanities, science, engineering,computi
  ng,arts, built environment and business)

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Student Numbers by Mode and Level in 2002-03
10
Ethnicity - All Students 2002-03
11
General Student Statistics
12
Location of UK domiciled students in 2001-02
NB based on Home Postcodes
13
Institutional Responsibilities

• Autonomy in setting institutional priorities BUT
  subject to external scrutiny
• WP strategy a condition of grant
• Balance between local/national issues
• Demonstrable partnerships and progression key
  factors
• Monitored and evaluated annually (3yr plans)

14
Some Facts

• UK applications 103,000 (HO, 2002)
• Pakistan has 2m, Iran 1.8m
• UK is eighth in Europe (Switzerland, Sweden,
  Norway and Austria x 2 ahead)
• Of 12m refugees worldwide developed west has
  fewer than 1m (UN, 2003)
• Minority ethnic population of UK is 7.9 (OSN,
  2003)

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Issues

• Selection of priority groups, who decides and
  how?
• Targeting of resources
• Availability of appropriate expertise and
  champions
• Fear of the unknown
• Funding for students
• Risk factors

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Potentials

• New curricula and students
• Practical application of APEL/RPL
• Diverse and inclusive institutions
• Progressive workforce development
• Contribution to regional development agenda
• More humane and civilised society (Dearing,
  97)