World University Service

The World University Service (WUS) is a network of legally independent, Non Governmental Organizations represented in over 50 countries around the world. It was founded in 1920 as the World Student Christian Federation to meet the needs of students and academics in the aftermath of World War One. After World War Two, it merged with European Student Relief to become International Student Service [1] and eventually as WUS in the 1950s.

In the 1970s it began to focus on campaigning for educational rights for the disadvantaged.[2]

WUS is not only involved in the field of higher education but all levels of education and further advocates for human rights worldwide, particularly with respect to education. WUS is recognized as a consultative organization by the United Nations and UNESCO.

WUS Austria

WUS Austria was founded in 1983 in Graz. The organization supports academic freedom as well as the right to education in the field of higher education. The main focus of their work lies in the successor states of the former Yugoslavia such as Croatia. The projects of WUS Austria are grouped into four core areas:

  • University Development
  • Connection between university and business
  • Arts and Culture
  • University and human rights

WUS Austria cooperates with different actors from the private sector, the public sector, educational and research institutions as well as representatives of civil society - both individuals and institutions. WUS Austria also offers various services including project development, project management, networking and consulting.

WUSC

WUSC, or the World University Service of Canada, was founded in 1957.

One of its core programmes is the Student Refugee Program, which raises funds from university students to enrol a refugee student at a Canadian university, land them as a permanent resident, and financially assist them for the first year of their new life. So far, 94 campuses across Canada have implemented this Program, with the latest one being Memorial University of Newfoundland.

WUS Germany

WUS Germany was founded in 1950. Regional WUS groups are located in Berlin, Hamburg, Jena and Leipzig which are active in the counseling and mentoring of foreign students and carry out tutorials, mentoring programs, language courses and lectures.

In addition, WUS Germany organizes seminars, publications and information materials. WUS conducts public relations work at the political level in education and development policy organizations and in the media. WUS participates in national and international campaigns in education and development, offers consultations and conducts scholarship programs and projects.

References
  1. Arbeitsbericht des World Student Relief 1945/46
  2. Osmańczyk, Edmund Jan; Anthony Mango (Ed.) (2003). Encyclopedia of the United Nations and international agreements volume 4: T to Z and index (3rd ed.). Taylor & Francis. p. 2763. ISBN 978-0-415-93924-9.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)

Further reading
  • Thompson, Mary, A. (1982) Unofficial Ambassadors: The Story of International Student Service. International Student Service.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.