New Courses for Refugees at Berlin Universities
In cooperation with the Free University of Berlin and the Technical University of Berlin (TU), the Humboldt Universität zu Berlin (HU) will be offering four extra German courses and propaedeutics, or preparatory courses, as of the winter semester 2016/2017. Expanding on their offer for refugees to begin studying in the winter semester, the HU also applied for funding from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)’s “Integra” programme, and received a sum of €189,000. The aim is to effectively prepare refugees who are interested in further education for regular studies.
“Thanks to our cooperation with the Free University and the Technical University of Berlin, we have together been able to create an offer which does not just pave the way for refugees’ access to further education, but also pools our expertise. The Free University covers humanities and economics, while the TU supplements this with mathematics courses and scientific subjects” says Dr. Jochen O. Ley, head of the Student Advice and Information office at the HU. This collaboration won’t just help with integration; the universities are also keen to implement this programme as best as possible, and to support the refugees in a targeted manner.
Four language courses, preparatory courses, and one-to-one consultations
With funding from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, a pre-existing language course at the HU will also be run by the HU preparatory college and the Free University as of September. Two new language courses will begin at the HU in October, and the TU Berlin preparatory college will run a further course. Subject-specific preparatory courses will further support refugees alongside the language courses, giving them an insight into the academic work and relevant terminology. Refugees who would like to take part in the courses can now register during the drop-in session for refugees in the HU until 16th September 2016.
Drop-in sessions (Arabic, German, English, Farsi): Tuesdays from 13:00-16:00 in the Studierenden-Service-Centre, Unter den Linden 6; prior registration is not required.
The drop-in sessions will provide interested students with individually tailored advice, a test to determine their language abilities, and check their credentials.
Programme and measures for refugees at Berlin universities
The Free University, HU and TU Berlin have been running special programmes for refugees who are interested in continuing their academic careers in Berlin since autumn last year. Together, the three Berlin universities have already advised 1769 refugees on how to proceed with their studies, while 670 are taking part in these programmes.
Further Information
Offers for refugees at the HU can be found under the umbrella of the main initiative „Refugees Welcome an der HU“, which aims to make access to higher education, entering studies and research, and everyday life at the HU easier for refugees.
Contact for language/preparatory course
Dr. Jochen O. Ley
Humboldt Universität zu Berlin
Phone: 030 2093-70257
jochen.ley@uv.hu-berlin.de
Contact for HU-Initiative "Refugees Welcome"
Inse Böhmig
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
Phone: 030 2093-20092
inse.boehmig@hu-berlin.de
Press contact
Ibou Diop
Humboldt Universität zu Berlin
Staff Unit Press and Public Relations
Phone: 030 2093-2945
ibou.diop.1@hu-berlin.de