Why only 3% of displaced people worldwide can access higher education
In short: With over 70 million people displaced globally, the path to a university degree is often closed. Most educational initiatives offer only short courses or single skills, but a new large-scale initiative is attempting to change that by providing full, accredited bachelor's degrees to refugees.
For the more than 70 million people displaced worldwide, higher education remains a distant luxury; currently, only three percent of this population has access to it. While many universities engage with refugee education through isolated classes or specific skill-building workshops, these often fall short of providing the comprehensive credentials required for long-term professional mobility. Current estimates suggest that approximately 84 million individuals are displaced globally, with refugees accounting for over 26 million of that total. This vast population faces immense hurdles when trying to secure formal academic recognition.
The Global Education Movement (SNHU GEM), established in 2017, seeks to bridge this gap through a blended learning model. Unlike traditional programs that may only offer single courses, SNHU GEM provides full, accredited bachelor's degrees. This approach is designed to be flexible and competency-based, utilizing self-paced online programs alongside in-person support services and professional internships to meet students in their specific circumstances. This methodology combines digital instruction with physical assistance to ensure students receive comprehensive support. Such a structure allows learners to progress at their own speed regardless of their immediate environment.
The program's scale has grown significantly under the leadership of Executive Director Chrystina Russell, expanding from a single location to 10 locations across five countries: Kenya, Lebanon, Malawi, Rwanda, and South Africa. By providing complete degrees rather than just modular skills, the initiative aims to empower refugees to become problem-solvers and change-makers within their own communities, providing them with the formal credentials necessary to navigate uncertain legal and employment landscapes. This growth has enabled the organisation to serve thousands of students across the continent. By focusing on full degrees, the initiative ensures graduates possess the legitimate qualifications needed to transform their local areas.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: A path to higher education and employment for refugees | Chrystina Russell
- Also: “Our Students Are Problem-Solvers”: Interview with Chrystina Russell
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