HEIF Funding Success

In January, SRA-IDII secured £30K Higher Education Innovation Funding (HEIF). Established by HEFCE, the fund exists to develop and support knowledge-based interactions between universities and the wider world that lead to both economic and social benefits.

The success will allow the OU to continue its educational intervention strategy in relation to migrants and refugees. Drawing on our members’ expertise in technology-enhanced learning, blended and distance education, the best way to support displaced individuals and existing education systems – particularly in Lebanon and Jordan – will be explored.

In the spring, a workshop with the British Council will bring together key stakeholders and partners to explore supporting the vast numbers of refugees involved, and OU members will also attend a DFID event inviting proposals to support the RACE II project in Lebanon. Given the OU’s experience with the TESS-India and TESSA programmes, this represents a key area of interest.

OU staff will also present their work and initiate discussions with new partners at international events including the joint UNESCO and UNHCR Mobile Learning Week in Paris, which this year focuses on how technology can help meet the educational needs of refugees and other learners displaced by emergency and crisis.

An internal OU workshop will also take place in March. Both those already engaged in developing the OU strategy, and those who would like to get involved are welcome to attend. To find out more, or to join the migration steering group, please contact Heidi McCafferty.