People with a migration or refugee biography are often confronted with the fact that the higher education degrees and qualifications they acquired in their country of origin are not recognised or only recognised to a limited extent. All too often, formal and informal non-recognition stands in the way of a 'direct' transition. Nevertheless, many people want to continue their academic biographies, but need customised offers to do so.

The aim of the symposium is to bring together stakeholders in this field of higher education policy and practice in order to gain an overview of measures, programmes and further education opportunities aimed at opening up universities. One focus is on the development and implementation of measures and study programmes in the fields of education, social work, psychology and social sciences. In addition to critically analysing barriers to access, the aim is to open up opportunities to continue academic educational biographies. To this end, the conference will provide an opportunity to discuss promising approaches and initiate stronger networking between relevant players in the field.

The conference is part of the "Kontaktstudium" project, which is co-financed by the European Union.

Specialist presentations

Topic area 01: Educational counselling

Educational counselling for highly qualified people with a refugee and/or migration background with a pedagogical educational orientation.

Advisor : Prof.in Dr Carola Iller (Foundation University of Hildesheim)

Subject area 02: Academic language German

Academic language German in the field of education, social work, psychology or social sciences: Removing inappropriate barriers to access (e.g. through high language test levels) as well as preparatory and accompanying language learning programmes.

Advisor : Dr Olga Haber (PASSAGE gemeinnützige Gesellschaft für Arbeit und Integration mbH)

Topic area 03: Educational biographies and migrant self-organisations

Subject area 04: Opening up universities

Opening up universities and degree programmes and further education courses for people with a refugee and/or migration background in the fields of education, social work, psychology or social sciences.

Advisor: Prof Dr Yasemin Karakaşoğlu (University of Bremen)

Information on the workshops:
Each day, two workshops will be held in addition to the specialist lectures, inviting a lively exchange on the respective topic area. Please register for one workshop per day. The results will then be recorded on posters, which can be viewed as a gallery walk during the coffee break.

Joint dinner:
A joint dinner on the first day of the symposium offers you the opportunity for further exchange (on a self-pay basis and with registration).