Refugee Scholars

Abstract

A PAMPHLET entitled “A Crisis in the LTniversity World“issued last week by the High Commissioner for Refugees from Germany (obtainable free of charge from the General Secretary, Academic Assistance Council, Rooms of the Royal Society, Burlington House, W.I) gives an account of the assistance to displaced German scholars and men of science during the past two years. Approximately 650 of the university teachers dismissed have left Germany. Of these, 248 have been permanently re-established, 131 in Europe and 117 outside Europe; 366 others have been given temporary assistance which has enabled them to continue their studies in universities or other institutions. Most of this work of academic assistance has been carried out by special emergency committees in Europe and the United States, which have succeeded in raising a quarter of a million pounds for the purpose of creating special positions in universities and research centres for the refugee scholars. Nearly £69,000 has been specially raised in Great Britain for the assistance of the refugee scholars. 40 have been permanently re-established and 170 have been given temporary hospitality. In addition, the Academic Assistance Council has been recognised as the international information centre by the High Commission for Refugees. The pamphlet outlines the plans of the academic committees for the future; it states that a constructive solution of the problem is possible and that the task undertaken by the committees is manageable, provided that there is sufficient financial support.