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Teacher's College, Columbia University: Offer 2 scholarships to Syrian students

We call on Teacher's College, Columbia University to provide at least 2 scholarships to Syrian students for upcoming classes. We also call on TC to join the IIE Syria Consortium and join the long list of institutions which are raising awareness about the plight of students displaced by the Syrian conflict. Other Columbia University schools, namely Columbia Business School, SIPA and Columbia School of General Studies have already created scholarships for students displaced by the Syrian conflict. Given its history and mission, TC should join this initiative.

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Started by: Manveer Grewal

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.

Teacher's College, Columbia University accepts over 5023 students every year, offering many generous scholarships. As students of TC, we think that some of the seats should go to Syrian refugees who would otherwise have no education. We are calling on TC to join the Syria Consortium organized by the IIE to offer scholarship opportunities for Syrian students. We hope that TC can be a leader to universities around the world by offering these Syrian students a second chance at getting their education.