A Place of Welcome
Each year, World Refugee Day and Refugee Week invite us to pause, reflect and honour the resilience of those forced to flee their homes, and on what it truly means to be a diverse, welcoming and inclusive community.
For me, this moment is more than just a date in the calendar. It is a powerful reminder of why our work as a University of Sanctuary matters. It is also an opportunity to celebrate the vital role that each of you, our donors, alumni, staff, students and wider community, plays in making the University of Glasgow a place where everyone is supported to fulfil their potential, and where background and life circumstance is never a barrier to those with the drive and ambition to pursue a university education.
Refugee Week 2025
This year’s Refugee Week, held from 16th–20th June, was especially significant. It marked the 25th anniversary of Refugee Festival Scotland and the 40th anniversary of the Scottish Refugee Council, two major milestones that reflect the enduring strength of Scotland’s commitment to promoting a culture of welcome. A country where every accent is heard, every story matters and a place that everyone can call home.
At the University of Glasgow, we honoured the week with a comprehensive and engaging programme of events. Guided by this year’s official themes of Community as a Superpower and Milestones, we came together to celebrate the contributions of people seeking sanctuary through art, storytelling, discussion and connection. It was a moving reflection of our values in action.
Being a University of Sanctuary is not just a title, it is a promise. A promise to welcome, to advocate, and to act on behalf of those who have been forcibly displaced from their homes. We see this promise brought to life in the stories of Sanctuary Scholars who arrive in Glasgow filled with potential, resilience and hope.
I think of the students who have overcome unimaginable adversity and are now thriving at the University, where they are learning, contributing, and inspiring those around them. I think of our staff and researchers who are building partnerships that support displaced academics and allow them to continue their research. I think of the incredible relationships that we have built through our engagement with the Council for at Risk Academics (Cara) and other organisations.
None of this would be possible without the generosity of our supporters and the dedication of our wider #TeamUofG community.
Javad's Story
Sanctuary scholar Javad shares how a scholarship has impacted his life.
"I am currently studying for a masters in Sport and Exercise Science and Medicine at the University of Glasgow.
The Sanctuary Scholarship has had a profoundly positive impact on my academic life. Academically, it gave me access to one of the UK’s most prestigious universities and opened new opportunities and connections to continue my academic journey. I now feel confident and hopeful about pursuing a postdoctoral position after completing my degree.
"The Sanctuary Scholarship has been like a light guiding me from a dark place into a space of possibility and hope."
On a personal level, this scholarship completely transformed my environment. It allowed me to move from a difficult and demotivating situation to a vibrant academic setting full of opportunity. This change not only benefited me but also created a supportive atmosphere for my wife, enabling us to plan our future with clarity and purpose.
I’ve felt welcomed, supported, and inspired by the academic and student community at UofG. It has helped me rediscover myself and restored my confidence."
Thanks to you
Thanks to philanthropic giving, we have been able to provide scholarships and tailored support for students affected by forced displacement.
We have launched initiatives that go beyond the classroom and lecture hall. Programmes that help individuals not just survive but thrive. And because of our donors, we can respond quickly and meaningfully to global crises, reaching those in greatest need when it matters most.
To everyone who has supported this work, thank you. Your gifts are more than financial contributions, they are acts of solidarity, compassion, and hope.
Looking to the future
As we look to the future, our Sanctuary journey continues. The need grows each year, and so does our ambition. We want to go further, do more, and ensure that everyone who comes to Glasgow seeking safety finds not just refuge, but opportunity, belonging, and respect.
That is something we can only achieve together. I hope you will continue to walk with us, championing inclusion, supporting students, and helping to build a University that is, in every sense, a true sanctuary for all that enter it.
By Professor Rachel Sandison OBE, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (External Engagement) and Sanctuary Champion