SAR and the Gerda Henkel Foundation extend assistance to at-risk scholars from Sudan
Posted September 12, 2023
September 12, 2023:
Scholars at Risk (SAR) is pleased to announce a new partnership to assist at-risk scholars from Sudan. A generous gift of € 100,000 from the Gerda Henkel Foundation, a leader in supporting the humanities, cultural heritages and patrimonies, will facilitate SAR fellowships and urgent assistance grants to support at-risk colleagues in getting to safety, resuming their work, and preparing to return their research and teaching capacity to Sudanese institutions as soon as conditions permit.
Recent conflict in Sudan is posing immense challenges for the Sudanese research and higher education sector already burdened by prior years of disruptions. Armed conflict between rival factions of the military in Sudan began on 15 April 2023, with fighting concentrated around Khartoum and the Darfur region, then spreading to regions bordering South Sudan and Ethiopia. As of early August, thousands have been killed and injured. Over 3.6 million people have been internally displaced, and 1 million have fled the country. Courses have been halted for indefinite periods, with students and staff fearing for their safety. Institutions have been looted or damaged, including the University of Khartoum, Al Neelain University, the Sudan University of Science and Technology, in Khartoum, and the Ahfad University for Women.
The foundation’s support will facilitate SAR’s response to the crisis, including arranging temporary academic positions at network member institutions and beyond for at-risk researchers in or recently displaced from Sudan, and urgent assistance awards for travel or related expenses. National SAR sections, SAR member institutions, and scholars interested in hosting or otherwise supporting at-risk researchers from Sudan are encouraged to learn more here.