Scotland’s new strategy to uplift and integrate refugees and asylum seekers
The strategy provides a clear delivery plan to support refugees and asylum seekers, to help them understand their rights, responsibilities and entitlements, and to help new Scots fully assimilate into society.
The New Scots Strategy aligns with the University’s own ambitions of ensuring an inclusive and welcoming environment in the campus and helping every member of the community feel safe, respected and supported to fulfil their potential.
The New Scots Refugee Integration Strategy is the third iteration of the plan, first introduced in 2013. The term ‘New Scots’ is used to refer to the displaced people in Scotland or those granted refugee status or another form of humanitarian protection. The Delivery Plan outlines specific actions which will be reviewed annually according to changing contexts, new actions required and progress.
The recent celebration of the New Scots Strategy announced the University’s commitment to support refugees and asylum seekers by increasing the number of its Sanctuary Scholarships from 20 to 30 places, from the 2025-2026 academic year.
Attendees at the event, which included Scotland’s Ministry for Equalities, Kaukab Stewart MSP, raised issues and challenges faced by the people seeking sanctuary in Scotland, such as health, housing, education, transport, amongst many other things. The stakeholders present spoke of their efforts to engage and encourage cohesive communities. Maryhill Integration Network’s Joyous Choir‘s musical performance relayed the powerful lyrics, “We are singing for liberation and we will not be denied.”
In November 2022, the University of Glasgow achieved the accreditation to be a University of Sanctuary, for promoting equal opportunities for those displaced by conflict worldwide.
This year, the University is set to introduce a scholarship in the memory of former student, Dima Alhaj, who was killed in the ongoing conflict in Gaza in November 2023. The Dima Alhaj scholarship will be offered annually to one Palestinian national applying for their undergraduate or postgraduate taught degree at the University.
Apart from financial support, the University has committed to provide English language support to improve access to higher education, enhance attainment rates, provide resourceful New Sanctuary web pages and a platform for sharing experiences. A Sanctuary Manager role has been created as a medium between internal and external stakeholders.
When speaking to the Glasgow Guardian, Student Representative Council President Pablo Ruiz said, “we need to see action being taken to build a community where refugees and asylum seekers feel they truly belong. As one of the manifesto points I was voted on, I believe it is essential that the University ramps up its efforts, increase funding to the services and support available around Sanctuary work, and expand these, such as by increasing even further the number of Sanctuary Scholarships, and I will carry on pressing for more. Now more than ever the University has to demonstrate its commitment as a University of Sanctuary.”The attendees of the event were addressed by Rachel Sandison, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, External Engagement and the University of Glasgow’s Sanctuary Champion, who said: “At the University of Glasgow, we are committed to ensuring that we are an inclusive and welcoming campus where every member of our community feels supported to fulfil their potential. As a university of sanctuary, we recognise the need to work alongside other institutions, cross-sector organisations and national governments to maximise our efforts, coordinate collective activity and advocate for those who have been forcibly displaced from their homes.”
