By Lexi Stroud

Dublin City University has announced 30 new scholarships for refugees in partnership with FutureLearn, Europe’s largest online learning platform.

The scholarships are part of a joint initiative to enable refugees and asylum seekers to pursue certificates of completion.

“The latest DCU FutureLearn scholarships are further evidence of our ongoing commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion,” said Prof Mark Brown, director of the National Institute for Digital Learning (NIDL) at DCU. “They mark an exciting new chapter to help enrich the lives and opportunities of Ireland’s refugee community.”

The announcement coincided with World Refugee Day (Wednesday 20 June) and preceded the launch of DCU’s Centre of Excellence for Diversity and Inclusion, which seeks to increase engagement between industry, higher education and Government with Ireland’s refugee and asylum-seeker communities.

“I know that there are many people that are interested in these scholarships and opportunities,” said Lesley Mkoko of the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland (Masi). “And it’s not just happening at DCU or at UCD – [in mid June] the University of Limerick also announced 15 new scholarships for asylum seekers as well.

“We are very excited about the great things that are happening for asylum seekers. We are making great progress in their education opportunities.”

The new scholarships give access to hundreds of learning options, including DCU’s ‘Irish 101’ digital Irish language learning course launched earlier this year.

“We are delighted that Irish 101: Introduction to Irish Language and Culture is a core component of this joint DCU and FutureLearn initiative,” said Dr Mairéad Nic Giolla Mhichíl, associate professor at the NIDL.

“Not only will it support this community of learners as they connect with the Irish language and Irish culture, but it will also provide them with an opportunity to engage with learners from around the globe.”

DCU was Ireland’s first university to be awarded ‘University of Sanctuary’ status in December 2016. The north Dublin institution says its partnership with FutureLearn furthers its commitment to supporting Ireland’s refugee and asylum-seeker communities in a culture of inclusion.