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 too 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.

We are calling on MSU to join the Syria Consortium to offer scholarship opportunities for Syrian students. 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.

Michigan State University has a long-standing tradition of support for international education, which has led to one of the largest international student and study abroad programs in the United States. In addition, the state of Michigan has welcomed a great amount of Syrian refugees, third only to California and Texas, and there is a major refugee resettlement center right in MSU’s backyard. As students of MSU, we believe that MSU can provide 10 scholarships to Syrian refugees who would otherwise have no education. We hope that MSU can be a leader to universities around the world by offering these Syrian refugee students a second chance at getting their education which would further reflect MSU’s commitment to student excellence.