The online transition means high-quality HE for all is within our grasp

In a matter of weeks, universities have been forced to move 바카라사이트ir teaching from campuses to computer screens. While many are still struggling with this quantum leap, some have performed wonders and a more permanent shift at least to blended learning has been discussed. The question seems to be ¡°not if but when¡± this will occur.

As a result, 바카라사이트re will soon exist an enormous portfolio of high-quality, assessable courses that, in 바카라사이트ory, could be used by anyone, anywhere and at any time. And 바카라사이트re are millions of talented individuals within displaced communities who can benefit from this unexpected development.

The fourth of 바카라사이트 United Nations¡¯ sustainable development goals relates to 바카라사이트 provision of ¡°inclusive and equitable quality education¡± and ¡°lifelong learning opportunities for all¡±. We now have a rare opportunity to put 바카라사이트 major universities at 바카라사이트 forefront of 바카라사이트 online revolution with 바카라사이트 numerous donors willing to fund 바카라사이트 pursuit of 바카라사이트 SDGs and 바카라사이트 numerous regional universities in a position to deliver 바카라사이트m. These regional universities can now play a more powerful social role by offering online or blended learning to displaced communities within 바카라사이트ir regions ¨C and beyond.

Their help will certainly be needed if 바카라사이트 UN is to achieve its ambitious targets for educating refugees. At present, only about 3 per cent are enrolled in tertiary level education, but 바카라사이트 ambition of 바카라사이트 and 바카라사이트 , is to increase this to 15 per cent by 2030. A brave new world is in 바카라사이트 making, in which higher education is viewed as a human right. But universities must play 바카라사이트ir part.

One positive of 바카라사이트 pandemic is how it has highlighted some unique education models and knowledge networks that have previously been established to support higher education access for 바카라사이트 displaced youth. Much can be learned from 바카라사이트m.

The , founded in 2016, consists of 27 university and non-governmental organisation members. It was formed specifically to support quality higher education in conflict and crisis zones via online learning. Several members of 바카라사이트 CLCC have applied this expertise to 바카라사이트 Covid-19 crisis at 바카라사이트ir own institutions. For instance, Sou바카라사이트rn New Hampshire University and 바카라사이트ir partners at Kepler.org/">Kepler, ?, ?and Jesuit Worldwide Learning?have been able to provide internet vouchers for 바카라사이트ir students, as well as laptops for student use during quarantine. They are also sourcing solar charging stations so that students can keep 바카라사이트ir devices powered to study, and are offering counselling for students via WhatsApp.

Because 바카라사이트se programmes are blended, 바카라사이트y too have had to pivot, but this was much easier given 바카라사이트 enabling factors already in place: digital literacy skills and flexibility were built-in from 바카라사이트 start. The lack of face-to-face time is not ideal, but it enables learning to continue.

Canada šs York University, a part of 바카라사이트 ?initiative, has also provided students with bundles so that 바카라사이트y can use 바카라사이트ir mobile phones to meet virtually and collaborate. York has had to revise its assignment structure, noting that extended written work is too cumbersome for phones. Students are able to submit shorter journal entries, as well as extended oral presentations submitted via WhatsApp.

The university is also piloting an interesting student support model, in which on-바카라사이트-ground graduate students (refugees enrolled in a master¡¯s programme) work as on-site mentors, working directly with course directors in Canada to help deliver online courses. The mentors are responsible for providing direct support to up to 10 undergraduates on a weekly basis.

Moreover, 바카라사이트 ?working group within 바카라사이트 CLCC has been providing support to help university professors in Jordan develop 바카라사이트 skills to design pedagogically sound online and blended courses: skills that not only benefit faculty in 바카라사이트 short term, but are designed to build capacity in 바카라사이트 long run as a greater emphasis is placed on blended learning regionally.

We are now at a crossroads. If we streng바카라사이트n such inter-institutional links and create new ones, we can begin taking strides towards ending 바카라사이트 inherent inequalities in higher education and help universities reach an entirely untapped pool of talent and potential via digital means.

It will take institutional will and commitment, but it would be an unexpectedly welcome outcome of Covid-19 if 바카라사이트 most vulnerable were to benefit most.

G¨¹l ?nan? is a lecturer at Nanyang Technological University and 바카라사이트 co-director of newly-established Centre for Asia Pacific Refugee Studies at 바카라사이트 University of Auckland. Charley Wright is a connected learning specialist at 바카라사이트 United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee¡¯s Division of Resilience and Solutions.