The primary objective of the training was to explain and convey international human rights legislation, international protection statuses, temporary protection status, as well as rights and obligations. Concrete examples were provided through discussions and the exchange of ideas, using current cases and court decisions to make the content more tangible for the participants.

The trainer, Ecem Doğru, a senior lawyer with ten years experience, participated in international activities on human rights law and refugee law, both under the Council of Europe and the United Nations. She has the expertise to provide training for the educational programmes of the Turkish Bar Association. “Recently, we have witnessed a gradual increase in the number of international students in Türkiye. Given the current situation, there is a need to enhance the competence of international student office officials at universities in the legal context”, she said.

Burcu Arslan, a participant in ToT, is a lecturer and coordinator at the international student office of Gaziantep University. She says “As professionals working in the international field, it is crucial for us to acquire knowledge about the legal dimension of the field through interactive training. This training is particularly important to me, considering the significant number of international students from various countries at Gaziantep University. I have been participating in SPARK’s multiple events since 2014. SPARK’s approach to fragile situations has enabled me to achieve tangible outcomes.”

Through interactive discussions and the presentation of real-life case studies, the participants gained valuable insights and practical knowledge that will enable them to navigate the legal complexities surrounding these issues. The training aimed to equip the participants with the necessary tools to provide effective support and assistance to SuTPs and international students, ensuring their rights and well-being are protected within the university context.

Şafak Ceren, Programme Manager at SPARK in Türkiye, said: “Under our Pathway for Higher Education project, we have devoted significant effort to the international student offices of our partner universities for the past four years. Through mutual consultations with our university stakeholders, we have concluded that education on human and refugee rights is of vital importance. This training will directly benefit the participants and indirectly help reduce the legal problems experienced by our student scholarship holders and other international students. We have received positive feedback from the participants, indicating that the training is necessary and effective.”

SPARK is committed to work towards providing higher education and employability skills for refugee and host community youth in Türkiye. The Pathway for Higher Education in Türkiye programme, funded by the European Union is a great example of how SPARK works to empower and inspire youth in the country.