Belmont University today announced its strategic partnership with the Institute of International Education’s Scholar Rescue Fund Alliance (IIE-SRF). This commitment immediately integrates the institution into a vital worldwide network spanning nearly 30 countries, directly addressing the escalating crisis faced by imperiled and displaced scholars across the globe.
Through IIE-SRF, universities serve as vital havens for academics facing persecution, conflict or instability globally, profoundly impacting lives far beyond their campuses. By offering temporary academic positions, these institutions enable imperiled scholars to continue their critical research, teach and rebuild careers that would otherwise be extinguished. This commitment not only safeguards invaluable knowledge and diverse perspectives from being lost but also provides hope and a pathway to recovery for individuals who have endured immense hardship. In turn, the host universities are immeasurably enriched by the intellectual contributions, unique experiences, and global insights these scholars bring, fostering a more diverse, resilient and globally aware academic community.
"By joining this alliance, Belmont University is affirming our profound commitment to global intellectual freedom and human dignity in a deeply interconnected world," shared Dr. Lori Baker, executive vice president for aspirational excellence. "In these perilous times, the persecution of scholars is a global tragedy that impoverishes us all. Our participation in the IIE-SRF Alliance allows us to directly contribute to the universal cause of preserving knowledge, fostering critical thought and ensuring that brilliant minds can continue their invaluable work. We believe that supporting these scholars is fundamental to a globally thriving society, and it powerfully embodies Belmont's Aspirational Aim to form diverse leaders of character so that people and communities may flourish."
The IIE-SRF Alliance, launched in August 2020, stands as the sole global program dedicated to arranging and funding fellowships for at-risk scholars at partnering higher education institutions. Belmont's inclusion in this network underscores the critical, collective effort required to support academic freedom and support intellectual resilience worldwide.
To learn more about the IIE-SRF and contribute to global efforts to support threatened and displaced scholars, visit ScholarRescueFund.org.