World University Service of Canada

Student Refugee Program.

About WUSC & the Student Refugee Program

World University Service of Canada (WUSC) is a non-profit organization that focuses on providing education and opportunities for refugees. One central program run by WUSC is called the Student Refugee Program (SRP) which, since its implementation in 1978, has brought thousands of refugee students to live and study at Canadian Universities. Today, over 80universities, colleges and CEGEPs across Canada are sponsoring over 130refugee students every year.

SRP funds support a refugee student’s tuition and living expenses for one year, after which time the student is supported in finding employment, financial aid, and/or scholarships to cover the cost of the rest of their studies.

The SRP is a respected and well-established program at several Canadian post-secondary institutions, including nine post-secondary institutions in BC. The SRP is run by Local Committees – independently organized groups of students and faculty who support the program at their university. With support and resources from WUSC, Local Committees raise the funds necessary for sponsorship, and provide social, academic, and financial support to refugee students.

For more information about the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) visit: https://wusc.ca/

For more information on the Student Refugee Program (SRP) visit: https://srp.wusc.ca/

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Here at UFV, our Local Committee sponsors 1 to 2 refugee students per year, depending on committee capacity and funding. Our goal is to see the number of students we sponsor increase as the SRP becomes further integrated at UFV. The SRP is funded through a $2.00 per semester student levy, which means that every student at UFV plays an important role in the sponsorship of each student.

The SRP Local Committee at UFV:

The SRP’s activities align with UFV’s commitment to multiculturalism, internationalization, and student leadership. Above all else, the SRP provides access to life changing opportunities for refugees. Welcoming these educated, passionate students enriches our campus culture by adding diversity of experience to our student body. The UFV Student Union Society and UFV Student Refugee Program partnership is committed to increasing access to education for refugees globally.

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WEEKLY MEETINGS

Want to get involved? Information coming soon!

All UFV students, staff, and faculty are welcome!

The Global Refugee
Crisis.

People, mostly children, gather inside a tent, with some smiling and looking toward the camera, while the photo is taken from outside the tent through its opening.

Aerial view of a large campsite with numerous tents in various colors, surrounded by parked vehicles and trailers. A dirt road curves around the campsite, with some people visible walking or standing.

A man with gray hair and a beard is holding a young boy on his shoulders during a crowded outdoor event. The boy looks to the side with a serious expression, while the man appears focused and protective. Several other people are visible in the background.

Children and adults gathered around a small campfire at night outdoors, with a snow-covered tent and trees in the background.

Globally, tens of millions of people are forced to flee their homes due to war, climate change, persecution and instability. This global refugee crisis has a disproportionate effect on youth. Of the nearly 26.4 million refugees globally, approximately half are children and youth under the age of 18. Of this number, only 3% have access to post-secondary education. WUSC is committed to seeing this number increase.

We believe that by promoting education, economic opportunities, and empowerment for refugees, we are supporting a more just and inclusive world.

Learn more:

Volunteer Opportunities

To volunteer for the SRP, you can attend weekly meetings and/or take on an executive position!

Please contact
wusc.ufv@gmail.com if you are interested in getting involved.

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Open Executive Positions

Role: Helping the SRP stay organized and have productive weekly meetings.
Responsibilities: Posting polls on the SRP’s social media page to determine a meeting date/time for each semester, creating an agenda for meetings, and taking notes at meetings.
Role: Promoting the SRP on our social media platforms and raising awareness about our events and initiatives.
Responsibilities: Keep our social media pages up-to-date by making and posting weekly or bi-weekly content. Content could include: photos from events, graphics made on Canva, or re-posted information from another social media page.
Role: Working with members of the SRP and the SUS to develop ideas for events and organize these events.
Responsibilities: Bringing forward event ideas to members of the SRP, organizing these events by recruiting SRP members, UFV students, and SUS executives as volunteers.