Exploring Education Pathways for Refugees in the Republic of Korea and Beyond
From July 29 to 31, 2026, the Exploring Education Pathways for Refugees in the Republic of Korea and Beyond Forum was held in Seoul and Chuncheon, bringing together stakeholders to discuss refugees’ access to higher education and education-based complementary pathways. The forum was organized by the Global Task Force on Education Pathways, in collaboration with the Embassy of Canada to the Republic of Korea, Kangwon National University’s Institute of Unification and Peace Studies, the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea, and UNHCR Korea. The Education Pathways Forum provided an important space for practitioners, universities, and civil society organizations from different regions to share experiences and learn from one another. This year’s forum was particularly meaningful as it brought together representatives from government institutions, international organizations, universities, civil society organizations, student groups, and refugee communities to discuss education pathways in Korea and across the Asia-Pacific region. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all the organizers, partners, and participants who made this gathering possible. UNLABELED had the opportunity to attend all three days of the forum and learn about education pathways for refugee students, as well as support initiatives from different countries. We also participated as volunteers, assisting with the preparation and operation of the event and engaging directly with participants throughout the forum. We are deeply grateful to everyone who worked to make this important international forum possible in Korea. As we reflect on the meaningful discussions and experiences of these three days, we would like to begin by sharing what we learned on Day 1. Pre-Forum Welcome Dinner 28 July 2026 | Eunsung Korean Cuisine(은성한정식) On the evening before the official opening of the forum, a welcome dinner was held at Eunsung Korean Cuisine in Jongro-Gu, Seoul. The dinner was hosted by Professor Jeonghyeon Kim of Chungnam National University and UNLABELED to welcome members of the Global Task Force on Third Country Education Pathways Steering Committee. As an expression of appreciation for the Task Force members who had worked to make this important international meeting possible in Korea, commemorative gifts from Chungnam National University were presented during the dinner. In a warm and welcoming atmosphere, participants shared their commitment to make the forum in Korea a meaningful and successful gathering. The dinner was more than simply a welcome gift. It also provided an important opportunity to strengthen relationships and reaffirm the commitment to a continued cooperation and solidarity. Chungnam National University had successfully completed joining as an official member in the Global Task Force and was subsequently invited to join the Asia-Pacific Regional Steering Committee. For UNLABELED and Chungnam National University, this invitation represents a valuable opportunity to take on a more active role in the international movement to expand access to higher education for refugee students and to contribute to the development of education pathways in the Asia-Pacific region.  
Day 1 | Embassy of Canada to the Republic of Korea 29 July 2026 | Schofield Hall Opening 09:00–09:30 Day 1 began with Aki Takada, Vice President of the Japan ICU Foundation, serving as moderator. The opening session featured welcoming remarks from Ashley Mulroney, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Canada to the Republic of Korea; Song Young-hoon, Director of Kangwon National University’s Institute of Unification and Peace Studies; Cha Yong-ho, Head of the Immigration and Foreign Policy Division of the Ministry of Justice; and Kim Sae-ryeo, Representative of UNHCR in the Republic of Korea. A central message of the opening session was that expanding access to higher education for refugees cannot be achieved by a single institution or country alone. Governments, international organizations, universities, and civil society all have important roles to play, and education pathways can be developed through meaningful cooperation among these actors. The forum was not only an opportunity to discuss higher education opportunities for refugees, but also a valuable space to learn from existing policies and university-led initiatives in different parts of the world.  
The opening ceremony of the first day was held at Schofield Hall, Embassy of Canada to the Republic of Korea. Session I. Global Trends Overview of Global and Regional Trends on Forced Displacement and Access to Higher Education 09:30–10:15 The first session was moderated by Julia Zajkowski, Senior Protection Officer at the UNHCR Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific. The session discussed trends regarding forced displacement across the Asia-Pacific region and the challenges that refugees face in accessing higher education. It was shared that, as of the end of 2025, approximately 17.6 million people in the region were receiving protection or assistance from UNHCR. This population includes not only refugees and asylum-seekers, but also internally displaced persons and stateless persons. It was striking to learn that 59% of the world’s stateless population lives in the Asia-Pacific region. The presentation addressed the challenges that refugees face when accessing legal status, identity documentation, education, employment, and basic services, in the contexts of Afghanistan and Myanmar. Alongside resettlement, family reunification, labor mobility, and private sponsorship, education pathways were introduced as one of the complementary pathways that can help refugees build safer and more stable futures. The significant gap between access to higher education among young people globally and among refugee youth also prompted reflection on the role that universities can play in refugee protection and self-reliance.  
This session explored forced displacement and refugees’ access to higher education. Session II. Education Pathway Programmes in the Asia-Pacific Region 10:30–12:00 Jungmee Lee, Director, Refugee Policy Division, Ministry of Justice Jungmee Lee, Director of the Refugee Policy Division at the Ministry of Justice, presented an overview of the development of Korea’s refugee protection system and the institutionalization of education pathways for refugee students. The Republic of Korea acceded to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol in 1992 and has operated an independent Refugee Act since 2013. The presentation covered the development of Korea’s refugee system, including the asylum application and determination process, the refugee resettlement program, and the treatment of recognized refugees and humanitarian stay permit holders. A particularly noteworthy point was the introduction of a refugee quota within the Korean Government Scholarship Program (GKS), beginning in 2026. Refugee students who meet the required academic qualifications and grade criteria may receive support covering airfare, tuition, living expenses, Korean language training, and master’s degree programs. It was also explained that, in cases where obtaining a passport or consular verification is difficult, certain documents may be replaced with a recommendation letter from UNHCR. Although the program is beginning on a relatively small scale, its significance lies in the fact that education pathways for refugees are beginning to be incorporated into government policy rather than relying solely on individual or private initiatives. Dongmin Jeong, Program Manager, Gipum Nanum International Dongmin Jeong, Program Manager at Gipum Nanum International, presented the development of Korea’s student refugee education pathway and its support system. The presentation introduced the experience of two students selected in Malaysia who arrived in Korea in late 2022. In addition to scholarships, they received support for housing and living expenses, social integration programs, psychosocial support, counseling, and coaching. Student support was presented not simply as financial assistance, but as an ongoing process of accompanying students as they pursue their studies and build their lives in an unfamiliar environment. The presentation also emphasized that stable educational and social outcomes require cooperation among the government, UNHCR, universities, foundations, and sponsoring organizations. This reminded us that when discussing education pathways, it is important to consider not only access to admission, but also the student’s life after arrival. While sustainable funding and public awareness remain significant challenges, the presentation described early initiatives for a small number of students as potential “icebreakers” that can help open opportunities for many more in the future. For UNLABELED, as a student-led organization seeking to expand education pathways in Korea, this was a particularly practical and inspiring perspective.  
The session introduced Korea’s education pathways and support systems for refugee students. Christopher Bott, First Secretary, Embassy of Canada to the Philippines Christopher Bott, First Secretary at the Embassy of Canada to the Philippines, introduced Canada’s refugee resettlement system and private sponsorship model. Canada’s resettlement system has developed around government-assisted and privately sponsored refugee programs, with communities, faith-based organizations, and civil society organizations playing an important role in supporting refugees over many years. The presentation also highlighted World University Service of Canada (WUSC), a Canadian non-profit organization that works with universities to support refugee students in accessing higher education through scholarships and sponsorship. Students arriving through WUSC were explained to be admitted to Canada under the country’s private sponsorship framework. Gavin Brockett, Vice Dean, Faculty of Arts, Wilfrid Laurier University; Faculty Advisor, International Students Overcoming War (ISOW) Gavin Brockett, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Faculty Advisor for International Students Overcoming War (ISOW) at Wilfrid Laurier University, introduced ISOW’s education pathway model. ISOW is an education pathway program that supports students affected by forced displacement in accessing higher education in Canada through student visas. The program has operated for approximately 11 years and has supported 54 students from different countries. What was particularly meaningful about ISOW was the student-led model. Students have contributed to fundraising and have played an active role in helping newly arrived students adjust to university life and their local communities. ISOW serves as an important model for UNLABELED, which hopes to develop a student-led education pathway in Korea. It demonstrated how students can move beyond a supporting role and become active agents of change within their university communities. Of the 54 students supported by ISOW, 32 have completed their studies, and 29 of those graduates have remained in Canada after obtaining work authorization and pursuing permanent residency. These outcomes illustrate that education pathways can be more than an opportunity to enter university; they can also provide students with a pathway to rebuild their lives and pursue new futures after graduation.  
The session introduced Canada’s university-based education pathway initiatives, including the ISOW model. Norielyn Tabag, Director, San Beda University; Pathways Pilipinas Norielyn Tabag, Director at San Beda University, introduced Pathways Pilipinas, a Philippine university consortium supporting education pathways and refugee students. Pathways Pilipinas is a network of higher education institutions in the Philippines working together on education pathways. UNHCR Philippines and the Philippine Department of Justice serve as permanent advisory roles, while WUSC provides technical advice. The network began welcoming refugee students in 2022. As of 2026, a total of 32 scholarship students, including those already enrolled and those preparing to enroll, were continuing their education through the network. Participating universities do more than simply admit students. They have developed shared operational guidelines and student support resources while building experience through regular meetings and exchanges. The initiative demonstrated how solidarity and cooperation among universities can form a strong foundation for sustaining education pathways. Norimasa Orii, Representative Director, Pathways Japan Norimasa Orii, Representative Director of Pathways Japan, introduced Japan’s education pathway and settlement support initiatives. Pathways Japan works primarily with students from Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine in cooperation with language schools and universities. The presentation emphasized that language education, university admission, career preparation, and settlement cannot be treated as separate processes. In addition to language education, Pathways Japan connects students with daily-life support, career counseling, part-time work opportunities, and employment mentoring. It was shared that 87% of alumni who sought employment went on to employment or freelance work. This example demonstrated the importance of designing education pathways as long-term processes that continue beyond university admission. Sally Baker, Director of University Partnerships, Refugee Education Australia; Co-Lead, Refugee Student Settlement Pathway (RSSP) Sally Baker, Director of University Partnerships at Refugee Education Australia and Co-Lead of the Refugee Student Settlement Pathway (RSSP), introduced Australia’s RSSP model. RSSP supports forcibly displaced students in studying in Australia through humanitarian visa pathways. The program welcomed 33 students in its first year and had nine participating universities at the time, with plans to expand the network further. During the presentation, Sally compared the process of expanding the university network to “looking for Pikachu”—continuously searching for universities that are willing to join the initiative. The analogy illustrated how one participating university can generate interest from others, creating new opportunities for collaboration. It was a valuable reminder that education pathways do not expand automatically. They grow through the ongoing work of identifying potential partners, building relationships, making the case for participation, and developing structures for cooperation. RSSP also operates welcome groups consisting of students and university staff. These groups support newly arrived students with airport pickup, opening bank accounts, navigating academic departments and campuses, and building peer relationships. One particularly meaningful example involved students who had previously received support later taking part in welcoming newly arrived students themselves. This presentation reinforced the idea that an education pathway cannot be completed simply through admission and visa procedures. It must also help students become members of their university and local communities.  
 
Session III. Refugee Student Experience and Support 13:30–14:50 The afternoon session provided an opportunity to hear from students and university representatives with direct experience of the education pathways introduced earlier in the day. Korean cases included experiences from Sogang University and MAP (Migration to Asia Peace) scholarship recipients. For privacy reasons, specific personal information and individual student experiences are not included here. The session offered an opportunity to reflect on how education pathways connect with students’ academic and everyday lives, language and cultural adaptation, and career exploration. It also reminded us that while systems and support structures are essential, it is equally important to listen carefully to the voices and needs of the students who experience these pathways firsthand. 
Session III featured perspectives from students with experience of education pathways. Cultural Activity: Guided Tour of Deoksugung Palace 15:00–17:00 Following the official sessions on Day 1, participants took part in a guided cultural tour of Deoksugung Palace, organized by UNLABELED. Despite the hot weather, many participants joined the tour. It provided an opportunity to step away from the formal discussions for a moment, walk together through one of Seoul’s historic sites, and connect with one another in a more informal setting. UNLABELED also participated as volunteers in the operation of the embassy event and in preparing and leading the Deoksugung tour. It was a valuable opportunity to learn firsthand from the experiences that organizations and institutions from different countries have accumulated in developing education pathways, while also meeting and speaking directly with participants. We would like to once again thank everyone who joined the cultural activity despite the heat.  
The guided tour of Deoksugung Palace was organized by UNLABELED. Evening Reception 17:00–19:00 The day concluded with an evening reception at the Embassy of Canada to the Republic of Korea. Following a full day of presentations and discussions, participants had another opportunity to reconnect, exchange ideas, and continue conversations in a more informal setting. Day 1 began with an overview of global trends and continued with education pathway initiatives from Korea, Canada, the Philippines, Japan, and Australia. Although the systems and circumstances in each country differed, a common goal emerged: ensuring that refugee students can enter a country safely, continue their education with stability, and build their futures as members of their communities. As volunteers, UNLABELED had the opportunity to listen closely to these discussions and gain a deeper understanding of education pathways as more than opportunities for university admission. Housing, living expenses, language learning, relationships, community integration, and career development all form an important part of the journey. The diverse experiences and questions shared throughout Day 1 left us looking forward to the discussions that followed on university sponsorship and the development of education pathways in Korea. The forum continued the following day with sessions on University Sponsorship and Building Education Pathways in Korea. |