From Camp to Campus Fall School | Leuven

From Camp to Campus Fall School | 16–20 November 2026 

From Unrecognized Talent to Shared Prosperity: Social Investment in Refugees and Newcomers through Higher Education 

Certificate of participation included | Optional 3 ECTS academic credits

Location: Irish College & UCLL Hertogstraat Campuses, Leuven, Belgium

Save the Date and Pre-Register: https://research-expertise.ucll.be/en/educations/camp-campus-fall-school-staff-training 

How can higher education help transform the talents of refugees and migrant newcomers into opportunities for individuals, institutions, and society?

Migration is often framed through the lens of challenge or crisis. Yet research also shows that migration can contribute to innovation, growth, and social renewal in host societies. Across Europe, policymakers, educators, and service providers are therefore faced with an important question: how can we respond to migration in ways that strengthen social cohesion, economic prosperity, and institutional innovation? Many refugees and newcomer students arrive with valuable skills, qualifications, and ambitions. Too often, however, these talents remain unrecognised or underused. Higher education has a crucial role in changing this.

The From Camp to Campus Fall School brings together professionals, academics, policymakers, and practitioners committed to improving access to higher education for refugees and newcomers, as well as participants with a broader interest in the topic. Grounded in the principles of social investment, the programme explores how higher education can serve as a powerful tool for inclusion, participation, and long-term societal benefit. Through expert lectures, panel discussions, workshops, site visits, and networking activities, participants will gain practical and policy-relevant insights into key issues, including:

• the social, cultural, economic, and political benefits of investing in refugees and newcomers
• current legal, demographic, and economic developments shaping policy and decision-making
• recognition of foreign qualifications and prior learning
• admissions procedures and access pathways to higher education
• language, preparatory, and foundation programmes
• social and student support services
• policy development and innovative practices across Europe

For anyone who wants to learn more about the bigger picture on migration and higher education, the From Camp to Campus Fall School provides an opportunity to learn from leading experts, exchange experiences with colleagues across sectors, and explore evidence-based approaches to reducing brain waste and strengthening inclusive higher education systems.

Programme can be found here: https://research-expertise.ucll.be/en/educations/camp-campus-fall-school-staff-training 

More details to follow later.

Participation options

Participants may register for the full week or for individual days that match their professional interests.   Participants who complete the full five-day programme and submit a short reflection will receive a certificate in Social Investment in Refugees and Newcomers through Higher Education. They may also obtain 3 ECTS academic credits. An administrative fee of €150 applies for participants wishing to obtain academic credits.  

Participants attending one or more individual days will receive a certificate of participation for each day attended.

Registration 

Join us in Leuven in November and become part of the conversation on how higher education can unlock talent, strengthen communities, and contribute to a more prosperous and inclusive Europe.  Register your intention to participate here (https://research-expertise.ucll.be/en/educations/camp-campus-fall-school-staff-training ). Once you are in the form, click “Registeren als nieuw gebruiker“ and complete the registration form. 

For more information please contact Mieke Achtergaele at mieke.achtergaele@ucll.be or Melanie Hall at melanie.vanoort@ucll.be.  

Practical information

The Fall School is organised as part of From Camp to Campus (S003124N), a research project funded by FWO – Research Foundation Flanders.  

Participation in the Fall School is free of charge. A sandwich lunch will be provided. Participants are responsible for their own travel to Leuven, accommodation, and other meals.

Participants wishing to obtain 3 ECTS academic credits will be charged an administrative fee of €150.

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