The Students at Risk (StAR) program supports students whose right to education is denied or severely hindered in their country of origin or residence by providing them with a scholarship in Switzerland.
The Students at Risk (StAR) programme aims to offer students at risk worldwide, who are denied or hindered in their right to education in their country of origin or residence, the opportunity to take up or complete their studies in Switzerland. The idea for StAR was launched in Norway in 2012 by two student organisations, SAIH and NSO. Germany followed suit in 2021 with the ‘Hilde Domin Programme,’ which was based on a similar idea.
The project of the Swiss Student Union (VSS) now enables Switzerland to contribute to international academic freedom in teaching and research. It complements the existing “Scholars at Risk” programme, which focuses on postdoctoral researchers. The pilot phase of the project began in September 2024 and will run until the end of 2027. During this period, the StAR programme aims to enable its first students to begin or complete their studies in Switzerland.
For at-risk students, the StAR program aims to create a safe environment enabling them to complete their studies and exercise their right to education. With a university degree and an international network, students are well-prepared for their professional future and can contribute significantly to the society of their country of origin.
Candidates must meet the following cumulative criteria to be eligible for a StAR scholarship:
- Student: Candidates must be prospective students (bachelor’s or master’s level) or doctoral candidates [1].
- At Risk: Candidates face endangerment or an inability to pursue studies in their country of origin or residence:
- Due to advocacy for fundamental or human rights,
- Due to belonging to a marginalized group, or
- Due to other external factors that de facto make it impossible or extremely difficult to complete their studies safely.
[1] By ‘prospective students’ we mean applicants who need to provide educational certificates in order to begin a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree, and who therefore must meet the respective admission requirements of Swiss higher education institutions.
Complete applications are forwarded confidentially to independent experts from the fields of higher education, migration, and human rights. A selection committee reviews the nominations individually and decides on the awarding of scholarships. Prioritization is based on the risk situation, admission to a higher education institution as well as on practical considerations regarding visa acquisition and the support network. Even after selection, the actual disbursement of the scholarship remains conditional on the student being admitted to the study program and obtaining a visa to legally enter Switzerland. Experts consider the following points during the selection process:
- Urgency of the situation: The individual’s risk profile is analyzed. This assessment considers whether the person is in an acute situation of threat, such as political reprisals, violence, or structural exclusion in their country of origin or residence. A lack of or limited educational prospects is a central component of the urgency analysis.
- Multidimensional risk: Categories of discrimination such as age, gender, sexual orientation, or disability can further increase vulnerability. These intersectional aspects are considered in the assessment of the need for protection.
- University admission: A key factor is whether the intended educational goal is clearly articulated and realistically achievable. This includes the planned field of study, language proficiency, prior academic background (e.g., degrees already earned), and the overall coherence of the study plan. In this context, it is advantageous if the nominating person or entity submits an admission decision or an assessment of eligibility for admission from the relevant office at the university or university of applied sciences.
- Visa: Relevant factors such as marital status, family members, previous visa applications, and potential risks or opportunities associated with visa issuance are evaluated. In this context, future career plans and the societal relevance of the planned course of study are also taken into account. In particular, it may be viewed favorably if the intended professional activity can make a recognizable contribution to society in the country of origin or residence.
- Support Network: Since the VSS can only provide selective advice and support to students regarding departure or visa applications due to capacity constraints, existing social or institutional networks, both in the country of origin or residence and in Switzerland, are considered with regard to their potential for social, logistical, or financial support. In this context, concrete support provided by the nominating entity or individuals may have a positive impact on the selection process.
To apply for a Students at Risk (StAR) scholarship, a candidate must be nominated by an individual residing in Switzerland or by a legally recognized organization based in Switzerland. Candidates may not apply directly.
The completed nomination form, the required attachments (in a single PDF), and the signed letter of commitment must be submitted by email to studentsatrisk@vss-unes.ch to the StAR project manager by Monday, November 16, 2026.
You can find the documents required for a nomination under ‘Further resources’.
Maha O. A. Rafee is a pharmacist from Gaza with more than six years of experience as a community pharmacist and healthcare provider in conflict settings. She has been selected for the Students At Risk scholarship and will begin the Master of Science in Global Health at the University of Geneva in September 2026.
Following the completion of the master’s program, Maha plans to return to Gaza to work as a researcher and lecturer, contributing to the development of a new Global Health curriculum that includes core subjects such as humanitarian health, health policy analysis, and drug policy. She aspires to serve as a consultant for local NGOs and the Palestinian Ministry of Health, leading workshops and capacity-building initiatives on health issues in conflict settings.
In the long term, Maha aims to establish a regional Global Health Innovation Centre dedicated to developing context-specific solutions for communities affected by conflict, while sharing Palestine’s experiences and lessons with the broader Global Health community.
Kholoud Dawood is our scholarship holder from Gaza. Thanks to StAR, she is pursuing her Master’s degree in Translation (English–Arabic) at the « Faculté de traduction et d’interprétation » (FTI) of the University of Geneva starting in September 2025.
In addition to her studies, Kholoud Dawood writes literary texts. One of her texts is about her departure from Gaza and her desire to return after completing her studies.
Gaza City exhales, sorrow heavy in its tone.
“You speak of leaving, but I fear being left alone. So many have gone. My streets are empty, my laughter fades. Will you return?”
A single tear slips down her cheek. She wipes it away quickly, as if ashamed of weakness.
“How could I not? My heart beats with your pulse. Even if my body crosses borders, my soul stays with you. But I need to go. I need to see a world where hospitals have medicine, where the sky isn’t a constant threat, where a degree isn’t a privilege but a right. And then, I’ll bring it all back. I promise.”
Full text: Inner conflit.
by Andy Art fromPixabay
Myo Min Htwe is our StAR fellow from Myanmar. Thanks to the program, he pursues his PhD in Environmental Sciences at the “Faculté des géosciences et de l’environnement” of the University of Lausanne starting in September 2025.
Myo has extensive professional experience in the field of access to renewable energy and technologies. He has worked in both research and practical applications. He has been involved in projects in India, Thailand and Myanmar, contributing to energy modelling, solar power supply and sustainability initiatives. He is currently working with international NGOs on post-earthquake rehabilitation projects in the Sagaing and Mandalay regions of Myanmar, focusing on energy solutions for disaster-affected communities.
Through his PhD studies, he aims to deepen his understanding of the social and political dimensions of energy with a focus on North–South comparative studies. Drawing on his field experience in the Global South, he wants to conduct research that is rigorous and applicable to real-world challenges.
“My wish is simple: to see a Myanmar where clean energy reaches every city and village, where education is a right, not a privilege, and where young people see opportunity instead of limitation.”
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Project Manager Students at Risk:
Leonie Mugglin
studentsatrisk@vss-unes.ch
