First and foremost, expected impact of the project is to ensure effective cooperation between science and both refugee and host society through enhanced relations between HEIs and refugee and local society. In short term, tangible and quick results are expected to be improved institutional capacity, knowledge and awareness through support programs, workshops, info sessions, clear guidelines and info sheets in multi languages. Since refugees will benefit from clear and accurate guidelines and support, increased application and admission rate among refugee students to the university is another expected short term impact which in the medium run will hopefully increase number of refugee students and researchers at Istanbul University. Apart from improved capacity and awareness at institutional level, the implementation of the project will further contribute to the knowledge and capacity building of the participating organizations. Therefore, as indirect beneficiaries, a wider Syrian population will benefit from the project.
Other direct beneficiaries are already enrolled Syrian students and researchers. Short and medium term impact is improved academic achievement and language proficiency through pilot orientation and language support designed for the implementation of the project. The expected medium and long term impact is improved refugee participation to academy, research and science which will be beneficial for their future employability, integration and well-being. Furthermore for the recruited refugee graduate students for the application and admission support, in addition to financial benefits , built knowledge and experience with HE application and admission procedures for refugees and general familiarity with the institutional personnel, procedures and the project management in general are available.
Wider indirect beneficiaries are expected to be HEIs -both regional and EU wide- central and local authorities, voluntary organizations which will benefit from accumulated valuable knowledge on relevant aspects of refugee participation and support at HEIs through dissemination, knowledge and good practice sharing of the project. While HEIs in the region will benefit from produced guideline and info sheets, policy making institutions will accordingly benefit from evidence based needs analysis, research and policy recommendations. Thus an overreaching impact would be a shift in refugee recognition and participation in HEs both regional and European wide through dissemination and knowledge sharing of the project and integrated common actions and efforts for future cooperation, research and projects.
