Joint press release by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Research, North Rhine-Westphalia

Integration model for refugees at universities in NRW in process of implementation – State will contribute 30 million EUR annually

34 universities eligible to apply since 1st September

Düsseldorf/Bonn, 04/09/2016. The integration model for refugees at universities in NRW, "NRWege ins Studium", has been fast-tracked. The NRW Ministry of Innovation, Science and Research and the State Rectors' Conferences had presented the programme's key elements in April. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is responsible for organisation and implementation. Since 1st September, 34 state and state-refinanced universities in North Rhine-Westphalia have been able to apply to the DAAD for additional funding for purposes of advice and counselling as well as study preparation and study-related measures. The projects are due to start in 2017.

As the most populous federal state, NRW has received the most refugees. Over 230,000 were welcomed in 2015 alone, with a further 65,000 people arriving up until July 2016. Svenja Schulze, Minister for Innovation, Science and Research, North Rhine-Westphalia, says, "The rapid integration of individuals seeking protection in NRW is the state government's top priority. The integration model developed by the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Research (MIWF) is aimed at refugees aspiring to begin or continue a degree programme at a German university and provides up to 30 million EUR annually for this purpose."

The programme "NRWege ins Studium", created jointly with the DAAD, provides the universities with support during the establishment and expansion of preparatory and accompanying courses offered as well as consolidating the required advisory structures and assisting with the specialist and linguistic preparation and accompaniment of prospective refugee students. Unlike other international students, refugees frequently have little opportunity to obtain adequate information about the German system of higher education and the various study opportunities prior to their arrival in Germany. The need for advice is correspondingly high.

The new programme allows the universities to employ additional staff to advise and counsel prospective refugee students and thus create central points of contact, reducing pressure on the regular advisory services provided to international students.

DAAD President Prof. Margret Wintermantel comments, "Our refugee integration programmes have met with a very positive response from the universities. I am delighted that we are in a position to nurture this strong commitment, providing further opportunities, and to support young, talented individuals."

It is important that refugees with a qualification for admission to higher education, who therefore fulfil the necessary prerequisites for academic studies in Germany, are able to enter NRW universities as soon as possible in order to gain future prospects on the basis of a successful degree programme.

The call for proposals for the NRW integration model can be accessed via the following links:
https://www.daad.de/hochschulen/ausschreibungen/projekte/de/11342-foerderprogramme-finden/?s=1&projektid=57343583

http://www.wissenschaft.nrw.de/studium/informieren/nrwege-ins-studium-integration-von-fluechtlingen-an-hochschulen-in-nordrhein-westfalen/