Tagged: refugees - U-Today

‘I will do my best to give back’

Tekie Leonida (72) arrived at the UT in 2015 after many years of hardship. A refugee at the time, he received help from the Scholars at Risk network, and was once again able to do what he loves – to teach. And although he retired last month, he plans to keep working. ‘I don’t know how else to reciprocate the kindness of the people at the university.’

‘Ik ga mijn best doen om iets terug te geven’

Tekie Leonida (72) belandde in 2015 na jarenlange tegenspoed op de UT. Als vluchteling kreeg hij destijds hulp van het Scholars at Risk-netwerk en kon hij weer doen waar hij van houdt: lesgeven. En hoewel hij vorige maand met pensioen ging, is hij van plan te blijven werken. ‘Ik weet niet hoe ik anders de vriendelijkheid van de mensen op de universiteit kan beantwoorden.’

NuTwente seeks help in housing Ukrainian refugees

UT researcher Sergii Pud has co-founded an initiative ‘NuTwente’ dedicated to helping Ukrainian refugees. After three weeks of existence, the organization already arranged more than two hundred host families ready to receive refugees. ‘Our main goal is to help with housing, communication and care.’

Connecting Hands to train former refugees as role models

Training former refugees to become inspiring and empowering role models for new refugees. That is the goal of a new project by the UT based Connecting Hands foundation, which starts in May. Today, they sign a contract with their partners, the Enschede municipality and FC Twente Scoren in de Wijk. The UT acts as the main sponsor.

Plants and interactive games from students for refugees

After raising enough money within one day, UT students from the Connecting Hands committee bought plants and interactive games, which they gifted to refugees at AZC Almelo this afternoon. ‘We wanted them to know we are still thinking about them.’

‘I learnt how to be a man here’

The father of UT student Mohamad Mahayri (28) owned a chocolate factory. ‘Oh yes, I could eat all the chocolate I wanted. But the factory was near Aleppo and it was destroyed in the war.’ So was Mahayri’s university, which was shot down during an air strike. Shortly after, he decided to come to the Netherlands, and a few weeks ago he obtained his bachelor's degree in International Business Administration at the UT.

UT organizes a special evening for refugees

The University of Twente presents in collaboration with Connecting Hands a special evening aimed at refugees who wish to embark on their educational journey. The event is on the 14th of November at DesignLab.

DesignLab works with Sheltersuit

Urban Safety Kit to protect the homeless

Sheltersuit is a waterproof and windproof coat which can be transformed into a sleeping bag for refugees and homeless. The creation with origins in Enschede is now going to receive an upgrade – with the help of the UT’s DesignLab.

Refugees at the UT: 'Passionate about my own business'

A group of refugees is working at the University of Twente this week, developing their prototypes and business ideas within the program STAR/T, which was initiated and designed by the UT.

BBQ and volleyball with refugees from AZC Azelo

Tuesday afternoon Connecting Hands at the UT hosted one of its final activities, BBQ and volleyball, with refugees from the AZC in Azelo, as the asylum center is soon shutting down due to a lack of incoming refugees.

Connecting refugees to the university

Today marked the first in the series of events that the UT’s Connecting Hands Committee organized for refugees, who wish to pursue university studies in the Netherlands. About twenty asylum seekers from AZC visited the campus to get acquainted with the University of Twente and to connect with local students.

Connecting Hands organizes more events

The Connecting Hands association invited asylum seekers from the AZC for ice skating at the Ijsbaan Twente on Tuesday evening. Around 37 refugees from the asylum centre in Azelo were paired with their own student buddy from the UT for a night of snacks, drinks, and skating.

Refugee Entrepreneurs Working at the UT Campus

DesignLab at the University of Twente is currently a home base for aspiring refugee entrepreneurs. Fourteen young Syrian refugees from a pre-startup school Delitelabs will be at the UT until Friday, working on their business ideas. ‘We encourage local students to come to the DesignLab. You will be surprised at the magic that happens when you put together people of different background,’ says Christof Hawle, Director of Delitelabs.

Football with asylum seekers

Asylum seekers from asylum center in Azelo visited the University of Twente yesterday. They participated in a small football tournament and a campus tour, both organized by the UT´s Connecting Hands Committee.

Computer course for asylum seekers

A computer course for asylum seekers took place yesterday at the University of Twente. About 30 asylum seekers residing in Twente attended the course to learn some basic computer skills, but also to practice Dutch and start their integration into the local society.

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