NRF/SAQA Partnership to Support Refugee and Asylum Seeker Postgraduates

PRETORIA, June 25, 2025 – The National Research Foundation (NRF) and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) have announced a new partnership agreement that will establish the NRF-SAQA Scholarship Programme. This partnership aims to provide essential educational opportunities to refugees and asylum seekers residing in the country, promote research and development, and advance knowledge and skills in South Africa.

The programme will support and implement a scholarship program for postgraduate students who are refugees and asylum seekers based in South Africa by facilitating access to postgraduate studies through scholarship funding. This will enable their enrolment in Honours, Master’s, and Doctoral programs at South African Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).

Under the agreement, the two entities will provide co-funding for a period of three years with each partner covering 50% of the yearly costs, which will include scholarships as well as additional necessary study support services. The NRF will provide the programme with funding for one year for Honours, two years for Master’s, and three years for Doctoral studies, with possible extensions at the discretion of the partners.

In addition to the Partial Cost of Study scholarship, which covers annual tuition and accommodation or living and transport allowances, the scholarship will also provide tailored support services and research support.

The NRF will be responsible for issuing calls for applications; checking eligibility and completeness; and the organisation of the selection committee that will include representatives from both partners. The NRF will also assess academic merit with consideration of the unique challenges faced by refugees and asylum seekers, including disruptions in their education. The scholarship will prioritise full-time postgraduate students residing in South Africa who are recognised as refugees or asylum seekers by the South African Government.

This partnership exemplifies a significant stride towards a more inclusive and equitable higher education and collaboration between State entities in South Africa.

“This collaboration is pivotal in fostering inclusivity and empowering a vulnerable population within our academic landscape,” says the NRF’s Dr Gugu Moche, Group Executive: Digital Transformation and Acting Deputy CEO: Research, Innovation, Impact Support and Advancement. “By providing access to postgraduate education, we are not only nurturing academic talent but also contributing to the societal integration and self-sufficiency of refugees and asylum seekers in South Africa. We believe this program will have a profound and lasting positive impact.”

SAQA brings invaluable expertise to this partnership through its role as the State agency responsible for the evaluation of foreign qualifications; its capacity as advisor on their recognition; and its implementation role for the Revised Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Certificates, Diplomas, Degrees and Other Academic Qualifications in Higher Education in African States (Addis Convention). The agency was also instrumental in the ratification of the UNESCO Global Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education.

“This partnership is a significant step forward in our implementation of the Global and Addis conventions as ratified by our country,” said Ms Nadia Starr, CEO of SAQA. “More importantly, it is a further step in our endeavours to recognise and advance the skills of the large numbers of refugees and asylum seekers hosted in SA. This project signals a viable trajectory for these individuals to continue their education and contribute meaningfully to their host country.”

Although considerable international effort has been focused on the recognition of refugees’ qualifications, far less has been done to ensure their meaningful access to higher education and employment opportunities. Recognition alone is not enough—it must be accompanied by pathways that enable refugees to study, work, and contribute fully to society. Addressing this gap is essential to realising the full intent of global and regional conventions. The NRF-SAQA Scholarship Programme marks a critical move in this direction by offering a more comprehensive and inclusive approach to support displaced and marginalised communities.

This initiative is also in line with the broader G20 theme of solidarity, equality, and sustainability, ensuring no one is left behind in the pursuit of inclusive development. By empowering refugee and asylum seeker students, the programme contributes to resilient and equitable knowledge societies.