Refugee Student Name: Mohammed Khider Mohammed
Studying at the Department of Sociology – College of Basic Education -University of Duhok
Mr. Mohammed is the Director of the Volunteer of Duhok University (VDU) group which is placed at University campus in the Student Center.
- What are the main challenges that the Refugee & IDP students face at the academic institutions for registration?
Finding the right path for students’ registration at the university is one of the main challenges.
- What are the needed requirements from the Refugee & IDP students for his/her registration at the university?
Students need to provide the following credentials and documents to proceed with the student registration at the university:
- Residency card;
- Student’s grades from his/her last year at high school which must be certified by the Ministry of Education in his/her own country to start the freshman year at any university in KRG of Iraq;
- College’s grades if he/she has studied few years at the university in his/her own country, which must also be certified by the Ministry of Higher Education in his/her country in order to pursue studying at any university in KRG of Iraq;
- Are the Refugee & IDP students accepted at any academic institute if there are some missing documents?
Yes, some Refugees & IDPs do face obstacles in their registration procedures.
- What are your demands at the University of Duhok (UoD) as Refugees & IDPs students? Materially, morally, socially, psychologically and academically?
As Refugee students we need dormitories and student transportation to the university. Some students had to leave college due to financial problems. Regarding the way that the local students and professors inside the campus deal with us is very respectful. We do not feel discriminated or different from any other local student. Nevertheless, we need more support as Refugees & IDPs, since the circumstances have affected the psychology of the students. Also the different curriculum between local &international universities has made the Refugees & IDPs students face big challenges in resuming his/her study.
- Are there any difficulties for the Refugees & IDPs students in finding jobs?
In general it is easier to find jobs in private sectors than public sectors.
- What are your expectations as a refugee student about the R-SOS unit at UoD?
First of all, we expect full support in resuming our academic path such as providing training courses mostly in languages skills and computer skills. Second it is very important for us to have some courses in self development which will be useful for us even after the graduation and for our future career. Finally, Refugees & IDPs students also need to learn the peaceful coexistence since we are living in a place where people have different background in language, nationality, culture, and even religion.
- What are the facilities and support that the University of Duhok or other parties such as NGOs are providing to you as a student?
The support and facilities that the University of Duhok is providing for us are: The free dormitories, contacting some local NGOs such as (Dariya NGO) to pay the study fees for those who want to study at the university as parallel students. Regarding NGOs, there are several one who are supporting Refugee and IDPs students such as SPARK (Netherlands) they are paying each student 280 $ USD.
- Do you have any comment, suggestion or question?
Yes, I have some question and comments:
- Is it possible for the Refugee student or the IDP student to work within the R-SOS unit?
- Do we have the opportunities to continue our study abroad?
- Is there evaluation or reward for the best graduation research?
- How can the R-SOS unit make a link and a fruitful link between the (Refugee and IDPs) students and the university departments, directorate and related bodies who are connected directly or indirectly with the Refugee and IDP students?
