OU launches international online course for humanitarian sector

Posted on 12 December 2016 • Management

A growing number of emergencies in developing and developed nations has increased the demand for front-line humanitarian managers with key leadership skills. Often being posted to the most challenging regions and working under great pressure, these managers are responsible for making life-saving decisions at speed.

Global scope to new online course

Recognising the importance of ensuring managers are equipped with these vital skills, the OU is launching a free Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) in partnership with the Humanitarian Leadership Academy. The course, Managing in the humanitarian sector, has been designed specifically for new managers and as a refresher for existing managers. It also provides those considering a career in this field with a taste of the challenges and rewards the sector offers.

The course, which lasts three weeks and requires four hours of learning each week, is being hosted on the Academy’s digital learning platform, Kaya. The platform enables learners to interact with the global humanitarian community through interactive forums and reflective learning. Once they have completed the course, learners will receive a free online certificate.

Urgent need to develop humanitarian responders

Academic lead on the MOOC and Lecturer in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at The Open University, Dr Susan Fawssett, said:

Learners from across the globe will be able to broaden and deepen their understanding of managing projects and teams in the humanitarian sector. The course brings the best of existing online learning with new technologies so that learners can easily interact with the rich content and their fellow students.

Chief Executive of the Humanitarian Leadership Academy, Saba Al Mubaslat, said:
“The increasing number of emergencies and disasters has resulted in an urgent need to develop the capacity of humanitarian responders in crisis-affected countries.

“Our first MOOC provides a real window into what goes on in a humanitarian emergency, in particular the challenges new managers face and the speed within which they have to make life-saving decisions. Learners will develop the skills and knowledge needed to become an effective leader in humanitarian response.”

Managing in the humanitarian sector begins on Monday 23 January 2017; to enrol on this free course, visit the Kaya platform.

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