Refugee meet

No-one could fail to act on our television screens and in our newspapers over the summer to move to the plight of refugees.

During the nearly five years of civil war in Syria, the scale of the tragedy is immense. And, in the midst of chaos and displacement of more than four million people, Said Foundation estimates that around half of the country's university students today are unable to access the curriculum as a result of the conflict.

A long and proud history of East London as a refugee settlement in one place and is now one of the areas of the ethnic groups in London. This fact is reflected in our university, East London, or UEL, where crowds of students each year in more than 120 countries. And, in some small sense, UEL's response to the crisis in our immediate location, which reflects the history of our longer term.

Our Centre for Migration Research, on refugees and belonging, a school based on the social sciences, interdisciplinary work in the areas of migration and refugee studies that brings together scholars; Diaspora and social cohesion; racism, religious and political nationalism; as well as citizenship, identity, and as a member.

Archives of the UK Refugee Council, forced migration and refugees are also at home in one of the largest collection of materials on the study.

London, our contribution and commitment to moving quickly in the environment, our local community remains singular. But our understanding that our local community is a mosaic of the world, in any case, we cannot stand aside from the tragedy and he will bring us to an exodus in Syria as an organization dedicated to the community and our students and staff to do something to help others expand.

When it comes to global studies senior lecturer at the university, Dr. Tim Hall, came to offer free aid to Syrians escaping the conflict, we do not say that this was my immediate attention. Tim was already formulating a broader response to the campaign group in the UK with Citizens.

Scholarships

In short, they are ideally placed to help. 10 Syrians sheltering in camps offer scholarships to graduate first in his fleeing from the civil war was set. The scholarships will cover all fees.

These scholarships, we have seen a small contribution to assist the resettlement of Syrian families to build a new life in the UK, and they are trying. Before the civil war, Syria was known for its high level of educational achievement. The graduate fellowship offering, we can help a group of refugees in the UK with a title that will help them to integrate into a new life in Britain we believe.

These conditions must be done carefully. Compassion for anyone who would like to help as many as possible, but we have to be realistic. Interior to get this right and we have to work on our own International Office.

The response has been amazing. There have been scores of phone calls. Applications are already being considered. There is a university, and a similar reaction has been extremely positive; Many have said that this scheme is not exactly what we should be doing.

Workers also proud to see that the UEL to take a lead on this issue in the sector. I believe that our efforts and the support of others who have similar commitments to new opportunities and adapt to their new home, it will be necessary to implement measures to these refugees.

Welcome to the National Refugee Council is now asking me to join. My place, such as the Bishop of Durham, the Rot Rev Paul Butler, along with other civic and community leaders will be a privilege to take; Jahangir Manlike, chief executive of Islamic Relief, and Liberal Judaism Rabbi Danny Rich, among others. I cannot play a significant role in the public and private sector board voices together to deal with the challenges posed by the current crisis, I hope it helps draw.

UEL, our hope is that our scheme will not only provide stability and the new arrivals, but the chance to pursue his academic ambitions secure environment, tolerant and supportive. We help the people of Syria will be built in the future. That is our privilege to play our small part.

Professor John J Coughing East London, UK is the Rector of the University. This article was first published in Focus International.