Tāwharau Whakaumu Centre for Asia Pacific Refugee Studies
Calling to initiate a discussion to establish complementary education pathways for students displaced by war and conflict
May 12, 2025
“It was not easy at any stage of the process,” reflects Dr Ritesh Shah, Co-Director of The Centre for Asia Pacific Refugee Studies (CAPRS) – Tāwharau Whakaumu. Dr Shah has many years of experience supporting education programmes in Gaza, where he first met Saleh Albalawi. After Saleh was able to leave Gaza, he reached out—and, following significant advocacy and with the support of many colleagues across Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland, a funded PhD position was secured.
“Our university systems and structures are not well equipped to respond to students fleeing humanitarian crises,” says Dr Shah. Dr Shah points to the recently launched Refugee Student Settlement Pathway in Australia as an initiative New Zealand could learn from. This new pathway encourages university communities to actively support young refugees in pursuing education in safety—offering both opportunity and hope.
At CAPRS, we believe Aotearoa New Zealand must begin a serious discussion about establishing complementary education pathways for students displaced by war and conflict. This would require coordinated effort and leadership across refugee-led organisations, government, universities, philanthropy, the community sector, and private enterprise. We welcome engagement from others who share this vision.
“It was not easy at any stage of the process,” reflects Dr Ritesh Shah, Co-Director of The Centre for Asia Pacific Refugee Studies (CAPRS) – Tāwharau Whakaumu. Dr Shah has many years of experience supporting education programmes in Gaza, where he first met Saleh Albalawi. After Saleh was able to leave Gaza, he reached out—and, following significant advocacy and with the support of many colleagues across Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland, a funded PhD position was secured.
“Our university systems and structures are not well equipped to respond to students fleeing humanitarian crises,” says Dr Shah. Dr Shah points to the recently launched Refugee Student Settlement Pathway in Australia as an initiative New Zealand could learn from. This new pathway encourages university communities to actively support young refugees in pursuing education in safety—offering both opportunity and hope.
At CAPRS, we believe Aotearoa New Zealand must begin a serious discussion about establishing complementary education pathways for students displaced by war and conflict. This would require coordinated effort and leadership across refugee-led organisations, government, universities, philanthropy, the community sector, and private enterprise. We welcome engagement from others who share this vision.
Read more: https://www.odt.co.nz/lifestyle/magazine/war-future