A Pathway to Brighter Futures: Creating Life-changing Opportunities for Refugees Through Education
Education is more than a basic need— it’s a lifeline. For refugees, education offers safety, dignity, and the chance to shape a brighter, more secure future. It builds resilience, fosters belonging, and opens doors to opportunity. When refugee youth access education, they not only rebuild their own lives but also strengthen their communities and inspire change for others.
Malyun’s Journey: From Refugee Camp to Nursing Student
Born and raised in Dadaab Refugee Camp in Kenya, Malyun always believed education could change her life. Her determination and hard work led her to a life-changing opportunity—acceptance into the WUSC Student Refugee Program (SRP), a unique initiative that combines resettlement with access to post-secondary education in Canada.
Through partnerships with Canadian post-secondary institutions, the SRP supports refugee youth to pursue higher education while beginning a new life in Canada. On campuses across the country, our network of Local Committees—made up of dedicated student volunteers support the resettlement and sponsorship of refugee youth by not only raising awareness about refugee issues but also providing essential academic,social and emotional support to newly arrived students, helping them navigate life in a new country.
“I was one of the lucky ones. Many girls in the camp never get this chance,” Malyun explains. “But I knew I wanted more and I knew I had to work twice as hard to prove I could do it.”
Now in Canada, Malyun is pursuing her dream of studying nursing. She is one of 20 students from her community who travelled to Canada through the Student Refugee Program to continue their education and start a new life. For her, this opportunity is more than a scholarship — it’s a stepping stone toward leading and inspiring other young women to dream bigger.
The Urgent Need for Access to Education
Yet, for millions of young refugees, opportunities like this remain out of reach.
According to the latest UNHCR Refugee Education Report, 46% of school-aged refugee children—about 5.7 million—are currently out of school. While 67% are enrolled in primary school, enrolment drops sharply to 37% at the secondary level, and only 9% make it to higher education.
These figures show slight progress, but the gaps remain stark — especially when compared to non-refugee populations in fragile and conflict-affected regions, where 94% attend primary school, 44% secondary, and 9% higher education. Refugees continue to face systemic barriers, including limited legal status, financial hardship, and language challenges. And in many refugee-hosting countries, already-stretched education systems struggle to include them equitably.
The report underscores an urgent need: to make education systems more inclusive and responsive to the realities of refugee and displaced youth.
Expanding Opportunities for Refugee Youth
Through our partnerships with post-secondary institutions, we are ensuring that more refugee youth have access to education. We are ensuring that refugee students can pursue education at universities, colleges, and CEGEPs and helping them thrive.
In partnership with Mastercard Foundation, we are committed to increasing the number of tertiary education opportunities for refugee and displaced young people in their host countries. Through our DREEM project, WUSC has supported 35,000 youth accessing education opportunities between 2020 and 2025. We have worked with Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program partners and staff to foster meaningful recruitment and support to refugees and displaced youth in higher education and transition to work.
Education Transforms Lives
Education transforms lives— not only for individuals like Malyun but for entire communities. When refugee youth are empowered to learn and lead, they unlock potential that strengthens societies and contributes to a more just and inclusive world.
At WUSC, we believe every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive and belong. Together, we can make that possible.
Learn more about the Student Refugee Program
Read the UNHCR Refugee Education Report