The University of Winchester has been reaccredited as a University of Sanctuary in recognition of its ongoing support for refugees and asylum seekers in higher education.
In 2018, the Winchester became the first university in the south to receive this award and subsequently it worked with partners and volunteers to establish Winchester City of Sanctuary two years later.
To mark the university’s reaccreditation, a special event – Putting Sanctuary Values into Action – was held for staff and invited guests.
The event’s subtitle was “Reimagining what it means to be a University in times of hostility to newcomers” which acknowledged that since 2018 the growing number of migrants to the UK had seen a change in attitudes from some sections of society.
Opening the event, Pro Vice-Chancellor Sam Jones said: “In this climate, our reaccreditation is not just timely; it is meaningful. It is a statement of intent. It says that the University of Winchester will remain steadfast in its commitment to welcome, inclusion, and humanity.
He added: “This commitment has not wavered. It has grown, deepened, and become woven into the fabric of our institution.”
Since 2010 Winchester has provided 67 sanctuary scholarship awards and CARA fellowships to students seeking asylum or humanitarian protection in the UK, or a dependent or partner of someone seeking asylum.
This year Winchester welcomed its first sanctuary scholar from Kenya’s Kakuma Refugee Camp via the Displaced Students Initiative Scheme in partnership with Refugee Education UK. Winchester is one of only three UK universities to pilot this new pathway for refugees to access higher education.
Professor Wayne Veck, Co-Chair of the University of Sanctuary Network, said that some asylum seekers were seen as ‘worthy’ and others as ‘unworthy’, but both were “classed in the group ‘them’ rather than ‘us’”.
However, education provided a pathway to acceptance, said Professor Veck, quoted an asylum seeker who told him: “When I entered the classroom I stopped being a refugee.”
That sentiment was echoed in a moving presentation by Sanctuary Scholar Kennedy from Uganda who described how he had encountered racial discrimination in the UK as well as uncertainty and hardship in the slow-moving asylum process.
However, Kennedy, who is studying Law at Winchester, said he’d also been shown great kindness by Southampton and Winchester Visitors Group among others.
“Many individuals offered me friendship, guidance and compassion…One of the most transformative moments was being awarded a Sanctuary Scholarship which restored my sense of purpose,” he said.
“Education has given me something that displacement had taken away. Your support may feel small but it changes lives.”
The event ended with Elizabeth Flint, the chair of Winchester City of Sanctuary presenting the university’s new accreditation certificate to Sanctuary Network Co-Chair Sarah Harder- Collins, the University’s Deputy Director of Student Support and Success.
Elizabeth said: “Sanctuary is about safety and protection for everyone. It is in everybody’s interest to be in a safe world.”
Visit University of Sanctuary News and Events - University of Winchester to find out about future sanctuary events and Students seeking asylum - University of Winchester for information about scholarships.
Pictured: Sarah Harder-Collins, Co-Chair of the University of Sanctuary Network, and Pro Vice-Chancellor Sam Jones accept the new Sanctuary Award from Elizabeth Flint, the chair of Winchester City of Sanctuary surrounded by others attending the Putting Sanctuary Values into Action event.
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