UNIMED WEEK IN BRUSSELS19-21 MARCH 2019

• RANIERO OK

UNIMED WEEK IN BRUSSELS19-21 MARCH 2019

Refugees Education Support in MENA Countries - RESCUE

Holy Spirit University of Kaslik(USEK)

Dr. Rima Mattar

Deputy President for International Affairs and Global Initiatives

UNIMED WEEK IN BRUSSELS19-21 MARCH 2019

USEK participation in the RESCUE project

2016-2019

Specific Lebanese Context

Refugees and Vulnerable Students

Inclusive units to serve the entire community

UNIMED WEEK IN BRUSSELS19-21 MARCH 2019

Overview of RESCUE at USEK

Raised awareness

among USEK

community

Training and study visits for USEK

staff

New structures at

USEK

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Raising Awarness

Within the frame of RESCUE, visits have been conducted in many schools

from the region of Jbeil – Keserwan:

• Visits conducted by a team led by Prof. Hoda Nehme

• Crucial need of psychological support identified

5-8 years old: capacity to adapt to their new

environment. Difficulties have been identified but they

have a minor impact compared to the difficulties observed for older children

10-14 years old: the process is more difficult because they are aware of the war and its

consequences.

UNIMED WEEK IN BRUSSELS19-21 MARCH 2019

Trainings and Study Visits• Skills and knowledge

• Enhanced engagement

• Change of perspective in dealing with traumatized students

• Increased self-esteem and responsibilities

• Increased team cohesion

UNIMED WEEK IN BRUSSELS19-21 MARCH 2019

USEK R-SOS Unit

International Help Desk

• Migrants as well as international students may need specific support

• Orientation/guidance among USEK units and campus facilities

• International advising (opportunities offered by NGOs or international organizations, etc.)

• International projects that could increase opportunities for vulnerable students.

Counselling Center

• Counseling services (Individual or group counseling)

• Crisis intervention and orientation

• Confidential short-term counseling groups and workshops

• Psychoeducational programs (awareness raising and prevention)

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CHALLENGE FOR UNIVERSITIES

Having highly qualified specialists to provide the needed psychological support to university students who faced these traumas.

Conflicts/Crisis situation

Trauma and psychological needs

Responses of HEIs

Why the Psychological Support is crucial?

UNIMED WEEK IN BRUSSELS19-21 MARCH 2019

USEK response • Syrian students who need additional language courses have

access to USEK language courses as regular students

• USEK offers also many services to its students (CareersOffice, Student Affairs Office, Registrar, etc.)

• Syrian refugees who are enrolled at USEK mainly needpsychological support to pursue their studies more thanlinguistic or educational support.

• Staff of this unit, the USEK Counselling Center, have beentrained on traumatism due to conflicts and wars and wouldbe able to help students who faced these situations.

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R-SOS Official Opening

March 14, 2019

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Conclusion

Creation of psychological units

in other HEIs

Development of psychological

support programs by the NGOs

Creation of special units to deal with

trauma and psychological issues due to war/conflicts

Future actions at USEK:• Campaigns on USEK main campus and regional campuses to promote the

services offered by the Help Desk and UCC (R-SOS)• Updated trainings to maintain the development of the R-SOS unit and adapt the

delivered services to the context and address new needs and challenges.

Impact on other institutions: USEK aims to share its experience with other keystakeholders in order to raise awareness about the importance of psychologicalsupport

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Thank you !