Collaboration to leverage new and unique educational pathways for refugees
August 12, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario: Jumpstart Refugee Talent is thrilled to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Carleton University on Monday, June 24, marking a significant step forward in our shared commitment to supporting refugees in Canada.
This new partnership reflects the commitment from all partners to provide innovative solutions in the face of increasing global displacement,” says Malaz Sebai, Director of Operations at Jumpstart Refugee Talent. “We are honoured to work alongside Carleton University on new activities that will support refugees and newcomers to Canada, including enhancing employment opportunities and integrating refugees into the Canadian workforce. This collaboration also reflects Jumpstart’s commitment to scaling complementary pathways as part of the Global Task Force on Refugee Labour Mobility.”
The signing ceremony, held at Carleton University, brought together key stakeholders, including Interim President and Vice-Chancellor at Carleton University, Dr. Jerry Tomberlin; UNHCR representative in Canada, Rema Jamous Imseis; and Director of Operations at Jumpstart Refugee Talent, Malaz Sebai. Representatives from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Invest Ottawa, the Scholars at Risk program, and Carleton’s Local Committee of the Student Refugee Program at World University Services Canada also attended the event.
The MOU between Carleton University and UNHCR Canada establishes Carleton as the first university in Canada to host a Sérgio Vieira de Mello Chair. This prestigious global initiative aims to enhance the role of universities in supporting displaced individuals through teaching, research, and community engagement. The agreement with Jumpstart will advance experiential learning, research, policy engagement, and introduce new areas of cooperation, such as joint fundraising efforts and developing a complementary pathway to permanent residence for refugees via Carleton’s Graduate Diploma programs.
“We are eager to develop this pilot program that combines education and employment, aiming to place candidates in high-demand opportunities in Canada upon the completion of their postgraduate studies,” says Bassel Ramli, Director, Global Mobility. “This initiative not only supports refugees but also meets critical labour needs in Canada, fostering a more inclusive and prosperous society.”
In the face of increasing global displacement due to conflict, persecution, and climate change, which saw the number of forcibly displaced people rise to 120 million by the end of 2023, this partnership aims to provide tangible solutions. Recognizing that 75% of forced migrants remain in low- and middle-income countries often for generations, this collaboration seeks to leverage the unique capabilities of each partner to create impactful change.
These new partnerships were announced in the wake of World Refugee Day on June 20th, a day designated by the United Nations to honor the strength and courage of refugees.
We are proud to be part of a community dedicated to finding solutions to forced displacement. From the Local Engagement Refugee Research Network to hosting the co-chair of the Global Academic Interdisciplinary Network, Carleton’s faculty and our team at Jumpstart continue to make significant advances in this field.