The Student Refugee Program (Canada)

Windle International Uganda in partnership with World University Services Canada(WUSC) is implementing the Student Refugee Program(SRP) in Uganda aimed at providing young refugee students’ access to quality higher Education and resettlement in Canada.

The Student Refugee Program provides young refugees with life-changing opportunities to continue their education on Canadian campuses and build a better future for themselves and their families.

The SRP is a unique program that combines resettlement to Canada with access to post-secondary education for young refugees. It is a Canadian government program managed by WUSC, a leading Canadian Education INGO.

The Program was launched in Uganda in August 2019 and has since taken on a total of  117 students (49F, 68M) who have been resettled in Canada. Going beyond resettlement, the SRP also provides an innovative pathway to integration for young refugees. A 2007 study found that 97 percent of sponsored students had completed or were in the process of completing their post-secondary program with many intending to further their education. The vast majority – 85 percent – had found work in their chosen fields after graduation.

The impact of this program has a ripple effect on the students’ families and communities. By providing refugee youth with opportunities to continue their education, the program also reignites their families’ hopes for the future through equipping their children with the knowledge, skills, and experiences to build a brighter future for themselves and their families. Such opportunities also encourage young refugees to stay in a primary and secondary school in hopes of applying for the Student Refugee Program upon graduation.