From Camp to Campus Fall School & Staff Training
"From Unrecognized Talent to Shared Prosperity: Social Investment in Refugees and Newcomers through Higher Education"
The FWO project From Camp to Campus offers a week-long course on the challenges and opportunities associated with investing in refugees and newcomers by improving access to higher education, not only for refugees and migrants, but also for all students concerned with lifelong learning.
For professionals working with refugees and migrants in academia, government, industry, NGOs, or related sectors, this is an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of how higher education can act as an agent of positive change in and for society.
We will also explore how systems, attitudes, and procedures can create unintended hurdles that prevent vulnerable students, including native-born students, from developing their talent and potential for the benefit of society as a whole and make suggestions on how to remedy that.
Participants may register for the full week or for individual days that match their professional interests. Those who complete the full programme and complete a short reflection will receive a certificate “Social Investment in Refugees and Newcomers through Higher Education” and academically recognized Microcredential (3 ECTS).
Participants attending individual sessions during a day or several days will receive a certificate of participation for each day of participation.
The Fall School is organised as part of From Camp to Campus (S003124N), a project funded by FWO – Research Foundation Flanders.
- Day One
Opening: Social Investment and the Purpose of From Camp to Campus (Irish College).
Introduces the purpose of the From Camp to Campus project and frames the Fall School through Social Investment theory. It asks how higher education can help transform the unrecognized talent of refugees and newcomers into shared prosperity for individuals, institutions, and society.
Speakers include: Mohamed Ridouani, Mayor of the City of Leuven; Dr. Chiemeke Onyeze-Joe, ULB; Dr. Tobias Hentze, Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft; and Prof. Dr. em. Jacques Haers, s.j.
- Day Two
The bigger picture on migration and society (Hertogstraat Campus).
Provides the necessary legal, historical, and political background for understanding the current position of well-educated refugees and newcomers in Flanders and Europe. It explores how migration since the 2015 refugee crisis and the Ukraine crisis has shaped legal status, public attitudes, policy frameworks, and the question of whether the “age of goodwill” is coming to an end.
Speakers include: Dr. Hielke Van Doorslaer, Denktank Minerva; Pol Barbé, KU Leuven; Dr. Dries Lens, U Antwerp; Dr. Peter De Cuyper, KU Leuven; Prof. Dr. em. Ides Nicaise, KU Leuven; Prof. Dr. Clara Cruz Santos, University of Coimbra.
- Day Three
Pathways to Higher Education (Hertogstraat Campus)
Focuses on the practical pathways that shape access to higher education for refugees and newcomers, including admissions, recognition of qualifications, preparatory programmes, and language acquisition. It also addresses barriers such as fragmented systems, bias, financial constraints, and political or budgetary pressures.
Speakers include: Prof. Dr. Orhan Agirdag, KU Leuven; Nele Vanderheyden, Atlas/THEA (Antwerp); Nele Breuls, NARIC; Dr. Christine Engelen and Sabine Steemans, Linguapolis (Antwerp); Dr. Aleidis Devillé, Thomas More / Next Steps; Afaf Reguib, IVANHOE (Limburg); Maryse Boufflette, CVO CLT; Prof. Dr. Ann Bertels, ILT Leuven; Chiara Kerckhof, AMAL/VTHO foundation year (Gent); and Dr. Melanie Hall, UCLL.
- Day Four
Pathways to inclusion and belonging (Hertogstraat Campus).
Examines the support refugees and newcomers need to remain, participate, and succeed in higher education. It focuses on student services, financial and housing insecurity, mental health, discrimination, academic preparation, and the importance of student voices.
Speakers and contributors include: Dr. Flore Geukens, UCLL; Lothe Ramakers, City of Leuven; Raf D’haese, KU Leuven; Katrien Mertens, UCLL; students and participants; Joshe Kuypers, PXL; and JENY Bsg, dancer, choreographer and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador.
Evening: Networking dinner
- Day Five
The future of higher education solidarity (Hertogstraat Campus).
Looks toward the future of higher education and its ability to recognize the talent and potential of refugees and newcomers for the benefit of society as a whole. It explores how examples such as the globally recognized ‘shared admission systems’ of UCAS and Studielink can inspire fairer, more transparent, and more efficient admissions systems.
Speakers include: Lalynn Wadera, Alderwoman of the City of Leuven; Ben Jordan, UCAS; Jennifer Moesker, Studielink; Dr. Ed Guzman, KU Leuven Admissions; Dr. Imran Uddin, UCLL.
If you opt for the 3 ECTS microcredential and participate in the full 5-day programme, please download the Course Sheet here:
Melanie Hall
Katrien Mertens
Flore Geukens
Mieke Achtergaele
Participation in the Fall School is free of charge. A sandwich lunch is provided on days two, three, four and five.
Participants are responsible for their own travel to Leuven, accommodation, and other meals.
However, the Fall School is a training and can support Erasmus staff mobilities. Please send your request to Mieke Achtergaele.
Participants wishing to obtain 3 ECTS academic credits will be charged an administrative fee of €150.