A new U online program hopes to offer refugees fleeing war, oppression, starvation and disease a chance at a college education.
Eleven refugees living in camps in Kenya and Malawi became the first graduates of the Case Management Certificate program on October 12. The course is nine months long, has four tracks and trains students in social work.
Rosey Hunter, a professor in the College of Social Work, oversees the program and said it provides an opportunity that otherwise would not exist.
“Most of those living in camps right now have lived there for many years,” Hunter said. “For them, seeking a higher education is impossible.”
The U partnered with Jesuit Commons-Higher Education at the Margins (JC-HEM), a global initiative comprised of small organizations, institutions and people working to make higher education available to refugee communities. Together they formed an online pilot program and opened it for enrollment in select camps.
The idea came from similar courses Hunter launched in 2013. The program had 27 graduates from 14 countries in its first year. From Salt Lake City to Africa, those who have obtained the certificate serve their communities as case managers.
Students in Kenya and Malawi have implemented projects focused on the issues facing their camps. They’ve set up support groups for single mothers and initiated education campaigns targeting HIV and gender-based violence.
“Our end goal for this program is to create a pathway where refugees can go on to obtain a bachelor’s degree,” Hunter said.
The U’s global engagement and outreach is valued by students like Sarah Smith, a sophomore studying exercise and sports management.
“It’s great that the U is helping to open up new opportunities in other places in the world,” Smith said.
More information about the program can be found at the College of Social Work website.
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