Syrian Futures Project

The Syrian Futures project supports Scottish Syrians in accessing higher education and employment to achieve their full potential.

Based at the University's Centre for the Study of Islam in the Contemporary World, the Syrian Futures Project collaborates with other initiatives and projects within and beyond the University of Edinburgh to help create opportunities, engage Syrians within their local communities and help them make positive contributions to wider society.

Previous initiatives have included:

  • Pre-Open Day, in collaboration with the Widening Participation team and STAR student group
  • Syrian Culture Night, in collaboration with STAR students
  • weekly online Community catch-up meetings and a befriending scheme, which aims to connect university students, especially Arabic learning students. Some of the students are matched with elderly, isolated refugee women who are struggling to attend English classes or to make friendships to keep them connected with the community.

Syrian Futures also offers free English classes for members of the Syrian refugee community (aged 18+). A volunteer English teacher runs classes for advanced and intermediate language levels. 

The planning for a new beginner’s class is underway.

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