May 14, 2020

HSP Partner Conducts Survey To Better Understand Academic, Social Needs Of Syrian Refugees In Turkey

In Turkey, HSP Partner Dr. Günnur Ertong Attar, Mersin University, just completed a survey of 1,135 Syrian students adapting to the Turkish higher education system. Since the Syrian Civil War began, nearly 3.6 Million Syrians have fled to Turkey and many of those are pursuing higher education at Turkish universities. The survey asked participants about their feelings towards their new academic environments.

Although, Turkish universities have made great strides to include these students and meet their academic and psychological needs, the results of the survey show that there is still much work to be done. The study revealed at nearly 45% of Syrian students feel unwelcome or not engaged academically by university administrators and teachers.

The results of this study will help inform teachers on the need for creating more inclusive classrooms for their increasing foreign student population. Additionally, Dr. Ertong Attar will bring the survey findings and a subsequent case study, to a network of Syrian Specialists in Turkish Higher Education that she leads. They will make policy recommendations to the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) to help improve Syrian academic life.