UNESCO Qualifications Passport
Only 7% of refugees have access to tertiary and higher education, according to UNHCR. In comparison, the figures for primary and secondary education are 68% and 37% respectively.
One of the key obstacles preventing refugees’ access to higher education is the lack of recognition of their prior learning, qualifications and credentials. The UNESCO Qualifications Passport (UQP) is a concrete tool for recognition that is contributing to ensuring the rights to access tertiary and higher education for refugees and vulnerable migrants.
Drawing from the experiences and success of the European Qualifications Passport, UNESCO has been working to upscale the project and turn it into a universal tool for displaced populations to improve their inclusion and integration in higher education.
In collaboration with national tertiary and higher education authorities and institutions, UNESCO is targeting the different obstacles hindering refugees and migrants’ pursuit of their studies. The Qualifications Passport is one of UNESCO’s flagship initiatives contributing to the Global Compacts on Refugees and on Migration.
How does it work?
Testimonies from recipients
"I aspire to pursue my education if given the opportunity, and I wish to study Human Medicine because it is the best human and humanitarian profession for the present day… Several issues prevented me from completing my education, the most important being the current financial situation, as well as the lack of recognition of the degrees I previously obtained."
"I left Syria because of terrorism and insecurity in my country, that prevented me from pursuing my education…I would like to continue studying telecommunication engineering and be able to reach the level of education I aspire to. I would like to be able to benefit my society and societies around the world”.
"I hope to pursue my studies at one of the Iraqi universities in the discipline I chose, that is to say, Law. So that I can reach my goals, make my dreams and ambitions a reality, and become a lawyer.”
"I work in restaurants to earn my living. My dream is to pursue my education in the field of Mechanical Engineering… The biggest obstacle I face is the financial one".
"When I was a student, I wanted to be a doctor. This humanitarian profession with which I could help many people…Today, despite the harsh conditions and as time went by, I still have the same faith and determination to make my dreams come true, even partially and get a university degree, with which I could improve myself and become the person I aspire to be in the future".
"I wanted to pursue my education in Syria, but the living situation in Syria was very bad…So, I came to Iraq to work and send money to my parents, so that they could live, seeing that I am their only son…I would like to pursue my studies in Business Administration".
More videos on UNESCO's Qualifications Passport
