To date, the Refugee Higher Education Scholarship Program has supported more than 18,500 refugee youth to qualify for higher education. ©UNHCR/Antoine Tardy
On June 20, 2022, Shenzhen Transsion Holdings Co., Ltd. announced that it will cooperate with the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) again, and bring its brand TECNO to support the refugee higher education scholarship program – Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative (Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative). , referred to as DAFI). The partnership aims to provide African refugee youth with higher education and employment opportunities, support them to unleash their full potential, and ultimately contribute to education equity.
In 2022, the new crown epidemic is still spreading around the world, and conflicts have escalated in many places. The number of people forcibly displaced has exceeded the staggering 100 million mark, exceeding 1% of the world‘s total population and reaching an all-time high. Higher education is crucial for the forcibly displaced. Education empowers refugees with the knowledge and skills to lead productive, fulfilling and independent lives; education improves mental health and provides a stable and safe environment for those who need it most; education also helps refugee youth for themselves and for family and building a better future for the community.
The vast majority of refugee youth do not have the opportunity to realize their potential through higher education. The data shows that the enrolment rate of refugees is 68% at primary level, 34% at secondary level and only 5% at higher education level. Access to higher education can help refugee youth broaden their knowledge, enhance their skills, plan their careers, and better improve their lives through inquiry and innovation.
To date, the Refugee Higher Education Scholarship Program has supported more than 18,500 refugee youth to qualify for higher education. ©UNHCR/Antoine Tardy
Since 2020, TRANSSION has provided high-quality primary education to more than 20,000 refugee children in Kenya and Uganda by funding the UNHCR “Educate A Child” global education project. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has further deteriorated the educational environment for refugee children, with many African schools being forced to close for the entire school year. Transsion urgently donated a batch of tablet computers to help refugee children continue to learn online during school closures. In addition, TRANSSION also donated 50,000 medical masks to the UNHCR office in Kenya to support local anti-epidemic operations.
Removing the barriers to higher education for refugees and increasing the opportunities for refugees to enter the labor market is of great significance to promoting refugee education in Africa. In 2022, TRANSSION’s cooperation with UNHCR will expand to the field of higher education, supporting African refugee youth to complete four-year higher education. In addition, TRANSSION will also provide internship opportunities for refugee youths in its branches or subsidiaries in Africa if the refugee country’s policy permits and the refugee youth’s qualifications match the position.
Lu Peihe, UNHCR Resident Representative in China, expressed his gratitude for Transsion’s continued support: “UNHCR welcomes the continued expansion of the partnership between the two parties. The cooperation with Transsion is aimed at supporting refugee scholars in difficult times to pursue higher education and enter the labor market. have contributed invaluable strength. We are increasingly seeing the solidarity and support shown by the private sector and individuals in China in addressing refugee education around the world. We believe the private sector will play a greater role beyond financial contributions, such as Explore innovative solutions together through a network of expertise and resources.”
Zhu Zhaojiang, Chairman and General Manager of Transsion Holdings, said: “By cooperating with UNHCR again, Transsion hopes to expand its support for refugee students from primary education to higher education. Starting from Africa, Transsion has always attached great importance to the practice of enterprises. Social responsibility, insist on giving back to the local African society. The Refugee Higher Education Scholarship Program is an opportunity to help those refugee youths with higher goals and great potential to continue to complete their education, and to change their lives through education and give back to the African society for a brighter future. “
Students receiving Refugee Higher Education Scholarships are on campus in Kampala, capital of Uganda. ©UNHCR/Antoine Tardy
Expanding refugee access to quality higher education is part of UNHCR’s Education 2030 Strategy. To ensure that more refugees have access to social, economic and cultural benefits through higher education, and to encourage refugee youth to empower themselves to contribute to the communities and countries in which they live, UNHCR and its partners have Raise refugee tertiary education enrolment to 15% by 2030.
The Refugee Higher Education Scholarship Program was launched in 1992. It supports refugee students around the world to complete higher education in countries of asylum by offering full scholarships. The program helps refugee youth become self-reliant, broaden their knowledge, improve their skills, better prepare them for future employment and entrepreneurship, and contribute to leading host communities during displacement and after returning home by increasing access to advanced degrees.
To date, the Refugee Higher Education Scholarship Program has supported more than 18,500 refugee youth to qualify for higher education. In 2020, the program was implemented in 53 countries, covering 7,343 students. Africa is the largest planned area for the project, which has been implemented in 34 countries.
About UNHCR
The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is an international humanitarian aid agency dedicated to protecting the lives, rights, and building a better future for refugees, internally displaced and stateless people. UNHCR leads international efforts to protect people forced to flee their homes due to conflict and persecution. UNHCR provides these people with emergency assistance such as shelter, food and water, guarantees their basic rights, and develops solutions to ensure people have a safe place to live and build a better future. UNHCR also works to ensure that stateless people are granted citizenship. For 70 years, UNHCR has partnered with governments, NGOs, civil society and the private sector to help tens of millions of people start their lives again. In recognition of its work, UNHCR was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize twice in 1954 and 1981. For more information, visit www.unhcr.org
About Transsion Holdings
Transsion Holdings is an intelligent terminal product and mobile Internet company for emerging markets around the world. The company owns well-known mobile phone brands TECNO, itel and Infinix in emerging markets, after-sales service brand Carlcare, smart accessories brand oraimo and home appliance brand Syinix. According to IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Market Tracker Report, Transsion’s global mobile phone market share will be 12.4% in 2021, ranking third. At present, Transsion’s global sales network has covered more than 70 countries and regions. Transsion implements the corporate mission of “enable as many people as possible to enjoy the good life brought about by technology and innovation as soon as possible”. Young users in emerging markets provide smart technology products that integrate contemporary cutting-edge technology with elegant and fashionable designs, inspiring them to discover the infinite possibilities of the world. At the same time, Transsion is also committed to creating more social value for Africa. Education is the future, and support for education in Africa is an important measure for TRANSSION to help the construction of Knowledge Africa, Science and Technology Africa, and even Smart Africa.
For press releases, please contact:
Transsion Holdings Corporate Public Relations Department
Wen Wen
[email protected]
Press Officer, UNHCR China Office
Xu Nan
[email protected]
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