HABESHA
PROJECT
Education for young refugees and displaced people from around the world.
HABESHA
WHAT
WE DO
Habesha Project provides long-term solutions to displacement through higher education in Mexico for young refugees from around the world. By mobilizing resources and a network of top universities, the project provides students with a complementary pathway and an opportunity to pursue higher education in Mexico. After several years of experience, DIME developed a comprehensive model that supports students until their graduation from Mexican institutions. The model includes the reception of refugees, an intensive Spanish and pre-university program, academic and psychosocial support, and full scholarships provided at top universities.
HOW WE
DO IT
Armed with a vision of a truly inclusive society and through partnerships with the public and private sectors and international organizations, we have constructed a comprehensive model that seeks to ensure the full development of young refugees’ skills by offering them higher education opportunities.
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN HABESHA PROTECTION SCHOLARSHIPS?
VISUA ISSUANCE
Visa issuance is organized and financed by Habesha Project. This is done through Mexican embassies in the first countries of asylum the students reside in or, if there’s no consular representation, in the Mexican embassy of a neighboring country. Habesha Project has direct contact with embassies and/ or consulates in order to facilitate the process.
TRAVEL TO MEXICO
Habesha Project organizes and finances students’ travel to Mexico. This costs an average of around USD 2,000. There are often no direct flights and arrival may require complicated routes depending on students’ nationalities. At least one person from the team will monitor the journey 24/7 in case there are complications.
VALIDATION OF PREVIOUS EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS
Habesha Project validates all of the academic qualifications of Habesha Project students with the support of the Mexican Secretariat of Public Education. If required, Habesha Project finances and organizes the delivery of important documents.
REFUGEE STATUS IN MEXICO
Once Habesha Project students arrive in Mexico, COMAR will evaluate their refugee claim in Mexico by reviewing and validating their individual cases. Having refugee status gives Habesha Project students permanent residency and, eventually, the possibility of Mexican citizenship.
ONE-YEAR INTEGRATION, INTENSIVE SPANISH AND PRE-UNIVERSITY COURSES
Students start classes on the second week after their arrival in a year-long academic and integration program called Intensive Course in Spanish Language and Academic Re-Integration’ (CIAERA for its initials in Spanish) that’s focused on ensuring they learn spanish, take relevant pre-university courses, and have basic cultural and historical knowledge of Mexico. All of this is taught in a personalized way and adapted to the level of students with the help of universities, volunteer instructors, and partnerships with stakeholders in Aguascalientes, such as cultural centers. Another essential element of the CIAERA is the course in academic study orientation. This aims to help students to discover their interests and abilities and choose the most zsuitable academic option accordingly.
FULL SCHOLARSHIPS
Some of Mexico’s top higher education institutions provide full scholarships. The average cost of a Bachelor’s degree at a (private) university in the Habesha University Network is USD $18,585.6 (~ USD $2,323.2 per semester). The average cost of a Master’s degree at a (private) university in the Habesha University Network is USD $7,042.24 (~ USD $1,760.56 per semester).
ACADEMIC, PSYCHOSOCIAL, MIGRATORY AND MEDICAL MONITORING AND SUPPORT
A strong follow-up system is implemented to continuously monitor and periodically evaluate students’ academic performance and overall wellbeing. It includes in-depth semesterly reports, migratory support (i.e. overseeing their migration status and intervening when action is needed), medical support, academic support, scheduled visits, and, if desired, integration activities during academic holidays.
HEALTHCARE UNTIL GRADUATION
Habesha Project covers the health insurance of each student until graduation. This is public health insurance provided by the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS) which includes medical assistance, surgical procedures, pharmaceutical assistance, hospital assistance and maternity care. Health insurance is renewed annually.
MONTHLY ALLOWANCE
A monthly allowance until the fifth (Bachelor’s) or third (Master’s) semester. This monthly allowance covers students’ accommodation and basic needs during the study period. It may vary slightly depending on the city, and decreases slightly by semester. After the fifth/ third semester, Habesha Project no longer provides a monthly allowance, but students have good student jobs and have found accommodation with Habesha Project’s assistance.
AN ACADEMIC BUDGET ACCORDING TO THE CHOSEN SUBJET
The academic budget covers all extra costs related to university studies. This may vary depending on the field of study, and the amount is provided on request. The budget covers materials, books, laptops and graduation fees, among other costs.
AN EMERGENCY BUDGET
The emergency amount is given to Habesha Project students on request and only in emergencies such as (rare) homelessness after stipends expire, robberies, or terminal illnesses in the family which require travel to another country.
JOB GUIDANCE
DIME builds a network of business to assist in the process of finding employment during and after studies. Also, DIME provides workshops, and mentors/ experts in students’ fields of study. Workshops are mainly focused on labor inclusion, and topics may include how to write a good CV, work culture in Mexico, or how to identify good workplaces.
annual leadership meetings
The Annual Leadership Meeting is for all Habesha Project students and takes place in Aguascalientes once a year. Students are able to connect with other students and participate in various sessions including capacity-building workshops, talks and discussions. The aim is that Habesha Project students have the means of becoming more active participants in Mexican society.
In 2020, DIME was officially addmited as a member of the Global Task Force on Third Country Education Pathways (GTF). Members include representatives of states, the private sector, NGOs, refugee representatives and UN agencies who are committed to expanding tertiary education opportunities as a durable solution for refugee students.
The GTF promotes and supports the expansion of tertiary education as set forth in the renovated goals of the Third Country Solutions for Refugees: Roadmap 2030 strategy as the next phase of The Three-Year Strategy (2022-2024) on Resettlement and Complementary Pathways.
Only 5% of refugees have access to higher education, in comparison to 39% of people around the world
In 2020, DIME was officially addmited as a member of the Global Task Force on Third Country Education Pathways (GTF). Members include representatives of states, the private sector, NGOs, refugee representatives and UN agencies who are committed to expanding tertiary education opportunities as a durable solution for refugee students.
The GTF promotes and supports the expansion of tertiary education as set forth in the renovated goals of the Third Country Solutions for Refugees: Roadmap 2030 strategy as the next phase of The Three-Year Strategy (2022-2024) on Resettlement and Complementary Pathways.
“I signed an agreement with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Mexican Commission for Refugee Aid in Mexico, where the government is actually now offering university opportunities to refugees from other parts of the world. I find this very generous of Mexico, a country that has its own challenges and yet, following a very long, historical tradition, remains open to giving opportunities to people that have difficulties very far away, also.”
– Filippo Grandi, High Commissioner for Refugees.
“Imagine you´ve died and someone hands you a miracle cure. That’s what coming to Mexico was like. Being born again.”
– Silva Namo
DOWN-LOADS
PARTNERS
