Bonn, 31st January 2018

Educational opportunities for refugees from Syria and young people from the host countries

Statement by the President of the DAAD

On the occasion of her participation in the delegation visit to Jordan and Lebanon with Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier from 27th to 31st January 2018, DAAD President Prof. Dr. Margret Wintermantel said today:

"The war in Syria is taking away people's prospects for the future: It is almost impossible for young refugees to take up or complete university studies. In Lebanon, Jordan and other countries in the region, the German Academic Exchange Service enables them to study in Lebanon through the EU-funded HOPES project. In doing so, the DAAD gives them and disadvantaged young people from the host societies the chance of higher education and thus the prospect of a better life."

HOPES – Higher and Further Education Opportunities and Perspectives for Syrians

HOPES offers refugees from Syria and young, disadvantaged people from the host countries Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Iraq, and Turkey the opportunity to take up or complete their university studies.

The project is supported by the European Union's "Madad Fund" which was created to alleviate the consequences of the ongoing crisis in Syria and to support its reconstruction.

HOPES – the first project funded by the Madad Fund in the field of higher education – started its work in April 2016 and, alongside the DAAD, is led by three other European institutions: the British Council, Campus France and NUFFIC (Netherlands).