University of Gloucestershire has joined forces with national organisations and local community groups assisting refugees and asylum seekers, as part of its support for the University of Sanctuary initiative.

A national network of university staff, academics and students, the initiative celebrates the good practice of universities in creating a culture of welcome. It provides people who have experienced forced migration with equal access to education, supporting local refugee communities, and teaching on issues around forced migration across a range of subject areas.

The university - a Supporting Organisation of the University of Sanctuary initiative - works with local and national charitable organisations, including the Council for At-Risk Academics (Cara), and offers support through the Michael Perham Sanctuary Scholarship, which includes a full tuition fee waiver as well as a maintenance allowance.

The university's first postgraduate student to be awarded the Michael Perham Sanctuary Scholarship, Mohammed Hady Taresh, an asylum seeker from Syria, last year achieved a first-class master's degree in cyber security.

On April 23 at 6pm, the executive director of Cara, Stephen Wordsworth, will deliver a public lecture at the university's Oxstalls Campus about how academics are caught up in conflict, are targeted by regimes that see them as a threat or are suffering discrimination or persecution.

The public lecture - part of the university's inaugural Sanctuary Week - will include reflections on his experiences as an at-risk academic from a current University of Gloucestershire Cara fellow. Tickets for the event are free but must be booked in advance on Event Brite.

Matthew Andrews, chief operating officer and pro vice-chancellor student experience at the university, said: "As a Supporting Organisation of the University of Sanctuary initiative, we're pleased to work alongside our local and national partners in offering a welcoming environment to people who have experienced forced migration in which they can succeed and thrive.

"We're proud of our track record of support, including through our work with Cara, offering Michael Perham Sanctuary Scholarships, and sponsoring individuals through the Homes for Ukraine Scheme.

"We look forward to continuing our important work with our partner organisations to support and improve the lives of refugees and asylum seekers, on our journey towards acquiring University of Sanctuary accreditation."