University’s crude tweet to critics of refugee scheme

A UNIVERSITY offering scholarships to refugees has told critics of the plan to ‘jog on’.

The blunt dismissal, meaning ‘go away’, was posted on the official Twitter feed of Reading University. It said last month that up to 14 scholarships will be launched for refugees living locally.

In a tweet on Monday it said: ‘We’ve had feedback over the last week that some people are unhappy with our plan to offer up to 14 scholarships to refugees living in the local area.

‘To these people, we would like to say: Tough. Jog on.’

The tweet has been ‘liked’ 41,000 times and retweeted 14,000 times. One person wrote: ‘Amazing! Promote whoever is in charge of your social media.’

Another added: ‘Great initiative. I hope other universities are following your lead’, and a third said: ‘Stunning message. Makes me want to go to Reading.’

But one Twitter user, who agreed with what Reading was

doing, complained about the ‘crass language’ used, saying it was not a ‘suitable tweet from a professional institution’.

She tweeted: ‘ “Jog on” – lovely! I am a parent of a student at the University of Reading and neither she nor any of her friends speak like that.’

The Refugee Scholarship Scheme was launched at the university last month, in partnership with Reading Refugee Support Group and the university students’ union.

It provides financial assistance for a range of courses including foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate studies.

Pro-vice-chancellor Professor Robert Van de Noort said yesterday: ‘We value the contribution those seeking sanctuary can make to the university and the town in general. We are proud and unapologetic to offer these scholarships.’

‘Proud and unapologetic’