91app

CODE Webinar: Learning in challenging contexts: through war and displacement 

How innovations in online and distance education can help address the challenge learners face during times of war and conflict. What is happening in Myanmar?  

This Centre for Online and Distance Education webinar explores how innovations in online and distance education can contribute to supporting learning during conflicts, when educators and students face many challenges including forced displacement. The focus will be on Myanmar, and learning from other conflict affected regions. 

Format: The webinar will commence with presentations from a panel of speakers involved in the Access Myanmar Project, and from UNHCR and the Council for At Risk Academics (CARA). After the presentations there will be time for questions and participant contributions. 

Topic: Presenters from the panel will introduce the Myanmar context and provide a short case study of what has happened in the education sector since the coup in February 2021 drawing on learning from the Access Myanmar project. This will provide insights from both inside the country and from neighboring countries such as Thailand where many Myanmar educators and students have sought refuge.  The challenges of addressing learning loss and a breakdown of the education system will be explained and some of the very innovative responses to this challenge will be introduced.   

Panel members will then introduce the work UNHCR is doing to provide education solutions in conflict areas around the world, and the work of CARA who are supporting academics who are suffering in these challenging contexts. 

Chair:

Dr Linda Amrane-Cooper

Director of Academic Practice in Online and Distance Education

Director Centre for Online and Distance Education

Speakers: 

Jon Gregson, CODE Fellow and Online Education Lead for the Access Myanmar Project 

Han Ni Lwin, Lecturer and Secretary for University Council, Spring Normal University 

Matthew Foster, CARA, Executive Director 

Frankie Randall, Connected Higher Education Specialist, Division of Resilience and Solutions, UNHCR 

Who the event is for:  

This event is for educators, and those interested in the role of online and distance education in contexts where there is a conflict and a breakdown of traditional public education systems. 

Whilst the focus will be mainly on higher education, and developing bridging to higher education, the presentations and discussion will also have relevance to the challenges at other education levels. Participants with or without prior knowledge or experience of education in such challenging contexts will all be welcome. 

What participants will get from it: 

• Basic understanding of the Myanmar conflict and current status of education provision 
• Insights from the Access Myanmar project and more widely from the Myanmar education context, on the important role of online and distance education  
• Understanding of some of the major challenges students and educators face in contexts affected by war and displacement  
• Insights into the nature of support needed to address some of the challenges presented and into the role which UK HEIs are and could be playing   

Why this topic/event matters:  

• Major conflicts in Myanmar, Ukraine, Gaza and other parts of the world, have led to ever increasing displacement and major challenges in delivering quality education to millions of young people  
• The current geopolitical context is changing and the level of international funding for education projects designed to address the needs of students suffering because of conflict in their home countries has been negatively impacted 
• UK and international HEIs have a major role to play in providing study opportunities and addressing barriers to quality education for students in challenging contexts, through online and distance education, and more action is needed to develop innovative approaches to learning design and delivery, and access and accreditation for students living in such context 
• This webinar also aims to raise awareness of the challenges for Myanmar students and educators, at a time when the media focus has been on other major conflicts  

All welcome-this event is free to attend, but advance registration is required.