The University of East London provides opportunities by offering free college education to refugees who fled the war in the Middle East. Through the Open Learning Initiative (OLIve) pioneered by the University of East London, students may attend up to full degree in college and even seminars and workshops which are vital in applying for a job.
The OLIve program has different phases. First, it will run a short program which is good for 40 students in April 2017. The second phase will set a ten-month program in September. Several universities in Europe collaborated to make OLIve happen. The University of East London in the UK, the University of Vienna in Austria, and Central European University in Hungary took part to put this program in effect.
Dr. Aura Lounasmaa, a lecturer at UEL’s School of Sciences and part of the OLIve program, stated that it’s important to collaborate with different universities and organizations to share knowledge and experience to refugees in Europe.
Vocabulary:
fled [verb] – to run away from danger or evil
pioneer [noun] – a person or organization who is among the first to develop a new idea or activity
vital [adjective] – necessary or essential
phase [noun] – a distinct period or stage in a series of events or a process of change or development
collaborate [verb] – work jointly on an activity or project
True or False:
- The term OLIve stands for Open Learning Innovative.
- Refugees from the Middle East may attend college free of charge.
- Oxford University pioneered the new program.
- The first phase of the program will take effect in April of 2017.
- Some universities in the United States also joined the program.
Express your opinion:
- Do you think it’s best if basic education is also included in the program?
- What do you think the government should do to encourage refugees to attend the program?
- Do you think the country will benefit from this program?
- What can you say about the other countries who are reluctant in accepting the refugees in their country?
- What do you think will be the outcome of this new program?
Defend your argument:
- Western countries should not allow all the Muslims from entering any part of the Europe.
- Education should be exclusive only for the citizens of a country.
- It is better if the all the Arab countries accommodate all the refugees.