Kiron University is an online school that is based in Germany
but is accessible across the globe. Kiron University believes that education is
the best way for refugees to help themselves, which is why they are offering
free education to refugees. With classes set to start in October, students can
earn internationally accepted bachelor’s degree for free. The university works
in collaboration with massive open online courses (MOOCs), which are offered by
top universities such as Yale, MIT, and Harvard. After two years of online
courses, students will transfer to one of 20 partner colleges across Europe
that have agreed to accept students and recognize credits from Kiron.
At most universities, students are required to submit
paperwork such a a transcript, diploma or even letters of recommendation. Since
most refugees have not much more than the clothes on their backs, Kiron
University only requires that students submit only a certificate that confirms
they are refugees or have applied for refugee status.
As a nongovernmental organization, Kiron has raised money to
support the students through crowdfunding. It has surpassed its first goal of
120,000 euros, which will provide scholarships for 100 students, but with more
than 15,000 people expressing interest in the program, it has upped the goal to
1.2 million euros and hopes to assist 1,000 students. At this time the students
will present documents required at traditional schools.
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