2015 will see more refugees arrive in Germany than ever before in one year. This has sparked a wide-ranging debate on immigration. In recent months, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU) has launched a number of initiatives enabling refugees to access the university. Academics at the HU are looking at the topic of exodus in various projects and initiatives.
On the occasion of Human Rights Day on 10 December 2015, HU will be providing insights into the manifold ways its employees are active for refugees.
Reading and networking on 10 December 2015
The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (KSBF) is hosting an event at which the Nigerian academic and writer Sule E. Egya will read from his book ‘Sterile Sky’ (6-8 p.m., HU main building, Unter den Linden 6, lecture theatre 2094).
Afterwards, students, employees and professors of the faculty will present six projects and ideas.
Regular programme
In recent months, HU has launched a number of initiatives to provide refugees with easier access to the university. It supports the ‘Weltoffene Hochschulen – gegen Fremdenfeindlichkeit’ (Universities open to the world – against xenophobia) initiative of the German Rectors’ Conference and currently offers refugees the following support measures:
Guest-student initiative
As of this winter semester, refugees may join HU as guest students at no charge and attend standard lectures and teaching sessions. As part of this guest-student initiative for refugees, the Berlin Institute for Integration and Migration Research (BIM) is offering two of its own courses in social sciences, which are held in English/Farsi or English/Arabic.
Orientation event 'Studying and academic life in Berlin'
Since the beginning of November, Berliner Wissenschaftliche Gesellschaft (BWG) has been offering a weekly multidisciplinary lecture series, among other things as an orientation aid for refugees, in collaboration with the Berlin universities. This involves university lecturers providing information about the academic programmes at the Berlin universities, divided into the three subject groups of Life Sciences/Medicine, MINT subjects and humanities, cultural and social sciences. The lectures are held in German and English.
Study Advisory Service
Both Academic Affairs and the International Office provide advice to refugees on options for commencing or continuing a regular study programme. Since September 2015, weekly multilingual advice sessions have been held in German, English, Arabic and Farsi for refugees interested in studying.
Psychological counselling
The Intercultural Center for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy (ZIPP) at Charité offers a range of group therapies, discussion groups and advisory sessions. Additionally, a Berlin-wide network for strengthening psycho-social support for asylum seekers and refugees is being set up.
Peer-to-peer training sessions for psycho-social prevention for refugees and a supervision concept for volunteers and professionals are also being developed at the hospital.
Library use
The University Library is issuing temporary user cards: refugees who have submitted an application for asylum in Berlin are given a user card on presentation of their temporary ‘residence permit for the duration of the asylum procedure’.
Voluntary support
There are also a range of voluntary support initiatives from HU members. Departments of Humboldt-Universität – such as the Department of Philosophy and European Ethnology – recognise voluntary activity by students for the benefit of refugees as practical training.
Asylum advice from the Refugee Law Clinic
A one-year training course on issues of asylum and alien law has been held since 2014; the first 30 student advisors started work at the end of October. The free, multi-lingual legal advice takes place directly in refugee accommodations. The Refugee Law Clinic Berlin is an initiative by HU students and PhD candidates from a range of departments. In winter semester 2015/16, the Refugee Law Clinic is organising a lecture on German and European asylum law.
Additional information
Offers for refugees at HU
Lecture series Welcome to classes "Study and Science in Berlin"
Classes for refugees in the Social Sciences in Arabic, Farsi and English
Refugee Law Clinic
Press contact
Hans-Christoph Keller
Spokesman of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
Head of Press and Public Relations Office
Tel.: +49 (0)30 2093-2946
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Contact
Jochen O. Ley
Head of Counselling and Information
Tel.: +49 (0)30 2093-70257
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Do you work on a project at HU that deals with refugees and/or related topics? Then please contact:
Inse Böhmig
International Strategy Office
Main contact HU initiatives "Refugees Welcome"
Tel.: +49 (0)30 2093-20092
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