Millions of Syrian high school graduates and college students are unable to pursue their dream of a college degree. Thousands of schools have been destroyed, unfairly depriving Syrian students from their right to education. Millions of Syrian students are now refugees, with no nearby school. And millions more are to afraid to go to school because a bomb could fall on the school at any time.

While host countries and the UNHCR can provide primary education to Syrian children, the young Syrian men and women pursuing a higher education face a much more difficult task. With language, logistical, and financial barriers to overcome, these students are unable to continue their education without institutional assistance.

That's why we urge universities to create scholarship opportunities specifically for Syrian students to pursue a higher education. The Syria Consortium, created by the International Institute of Education (IIE) has brought together 40 universities who commit to offer Syrian students and scholars a safe haven to continue their studies abroad. As places of academic and educational opportunity, this is the most practical way for universities to contribute humanitarian aid to the unprecedented and desperate plight of the Syrian people. But we need more universities to join this effort.

McGill University accepts over 39,988 students every year, offering many generous scholarships. As students of McGill, we think that some of the seats should go to Syrian refugees who would otherwise have no education. We are calling on McGill to join the Syria Consortium organized by the IIE to offer scholarship opportunities for Syrian students. We hope that McGill can be a leader to universities around the world by offering these Syrian students a second chance at getting their education.