Launch of the Global University Academy: ²ÝÁñÂÛ̳'s new international solidarity action plan
²ÝÁñÂÛ̳ is joining forces with a consortium of international universities, refugee reception organisations such as the UNHCR and committed local players to set up the Global University Academy, an international training programme located as close as possible to populations affected by conflict.
One of the three pillars of PSL University's international solidarity action plan launched in summer 2024.
²ÝÁñÂÛ̳ is European and international. Its commitment to helping university populations affected by conflict is rooted in the values of its constituent parts.
The DU passerelle at Dauphine - PSL, the MigrENS programme at ENS - PSL and the PAUSE programme run by the Collège de France are excellent examples of this. Our ambition today is to build on the strength of our collective to give new ambition to this commitment. With this in mind, a new international solidarity action plan for PSL University was launched this summer. It is based on a strong mobilisation and commitment, which the university is ready to endorse, and is reflected in the adoption of an international solidarity fund. The aim of this fund is not just to respond to emergencies, but to provide a long-term commitment to students, teachers and researchers, who are unfortunately increasingly affected by conflicts. As early as this summer, we were able to quickly launch an initial appeal to set up student grants, complementing our support for researchers and artists in exile through the PAUSE programme. Looking to the longer term, PSL has committed to working with several of its European and international partners to develop a range of off-site training courses, as close as possible to the refugee camps. This initiative, entitled ‘Global University Academy’, was launched on 12 September.
Grants for student in exile, victims of the conflict in the middle east
Following the first flash call launched this summer, four students will be welcomed from 18 September as part of the
The aim of the DU Passerelle is to enable non-French speakers living in exile to begin, continue or resume higher education in France. These students will also receive support from the university's student life services to make their arrival easier (accommodation, health, administrative formalities, etc.).
A new flash call will be launched in the autumn to welcome a new cohort at the start of the new academic year in September 2025.
This scheme complements the support provided to researchers and artists in exile through the PAUSE programme run by the Collège de France.
La Global University Academy
²ÝÁñÂÛ̳ has decided to join forces with several European, African and American universities to set up an international programme to support refugee and displaced students, in partnership with local universities that wish to help.
The Global University Academy is a response to the urgent need to create a scalable and agile model to support refugees and displaced communities in the face of current and future crises. The international consortium - of which PSL is the only French member - has set itself the target of offering bridge and undergraduate courses within 18 months. Together the partners will work on mutual recognition of courses, ensuring that courses are relevant and of a high standard, working with local partners, securing long-term financial support and evaluating the impact of the initiative.
Aware that it is currently impossible to envisage mobility or even to effectively deploy online programmes requiring internet access, tutors and computers in conflict zones. By participating with several European, African and American universities in the design and launch of the Global University Academy, PSL wishes to actively contribute to the search for solutions that will enable refugee students to maintain access to higher education by creating a virtuous spillover effect with spin-offs for their entire local ecosystem.