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Trent University Raises $25,000 in Support for Trent/WUSC Student Refugee Program

Money raised from #TrentUHelps campaign to sponsor additional refugee student in 2016/17

Following Trent University’s recent fundraising announcement to increase its commitment to refugee students through the World University Service of Canada Student Refugee Program (WUSC SRP), Trent University announced today that they have successfully raised $25,000, enough to welcome an additional refugee student from Syria in 2016 as a result of the efforts.

The campaign was kick-started with a $6,700 contribution by Trent University’s senior administrators and in just a week and a half has been increased to $25,000, thanks to the generosity and support from students, staff and faculty, as well as retirees, alumni, board members and friends of the university.

“This demonstrates the compassion and empathy of the Trent community,” said Dr. Leo Groarke, president and vice-chancellor of Trent University. “We’re looking forward to up to four new refugee students in the next academic year.”

“As always I’m deeply moved by the response of our Trent community in a time of need,” said Dr. Mike Allcott, director of the Trent International Program. “I experience the incredible international depth and commitment of the Trent community every day. This is a wonderful opportunity for so many others to join in the spirit of that commitment.”

“As part of the local WUSC committee we are working hard along with Dr. Allcott, TIP and the whole student community to do our best to maximize the number of students sponsored next fall,” said Aaditya Thakar, student refugee program coordinator of WUSC and third year student in Biology and Psychology at Trent. “We are also working on innovative ways to spread awareness about the cause and to strengthen our local committee.”

Trent has been sponsoring one student per year through the WUSC SRP since 1983. The University announced plans to double that commitment through fundraising, volunteer dedication, and in-kind contributions in response to the concern expressed across the Trent University community over the plight of an historic wave of refugees seeking refuge from war and strife in Syria and Northern Africa.

Trent University has a long-standing tradition of providing a welcoming home and rich educational environment to refugees from all over the world and has an impressive track record in partnering with WUSC. This recent campaign builds on a tradition of social justice and internationalization at Trent.

Posted on Friday, September 25, 2015.

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