DESCRIPTION AND METHODOLOGIES
Since Autumn 2016, five Swedish universities, among which University West, have started offering a new course for newly-arrived teachers and preschool teachers. University of Gothenburg, Chalmers University of Technology, University of Borås and University of Skövde are the other HE Institution participating in the scheme (https://www.education4refugees.org/updates/307-sweden-fast-track-training-for-migrant-teachers )
The Swedish government launched this initiative to help new migrants with professional qualifications from their home countries integrate into the labour market in their host country, and obtain jobs in sectors where there is currently a shortage of workers.
The initiative aims to shorten the path to either finish a PhD-education or to a career within higher educationand and is funded by the participating colleges and STINT (Foundation for Internationalization of Higher Education and Research)
Activities
The project is formed as a fast-track and targets refugees who have not been in Sweden for more than five years, currently living in Sweden and have completed or started PhD-education from outside of Sweden. After completing the program, participants shall have a clear picture of how they can proceed within the Swedish academia.
The course comprises of theory and Swedish language classes at university, and a 26-week internship at a school or pre-school. Some parts of the course are given in Arabic, to ensure a quick understanding of the Swedish school system. This initiative can help contribute to a quick and successful economic and social integration of newly arrived migrant teachers, through educational and professional training.
The program consists of three parts that will run in parallel during the project period:
- Training: for example language courses, research funding, publications and open access, academic writing, pedagogical development and training
- Personal and professional development including career guidance
- Academic mentoring program
It is a matter of new arrivals with commenced or completed postgraduate education to give them knowledge of the Swedish university system, as well as individual guidance, mentoring and thus placement at an institution that matches the applicant's research background.
RESULTS AND IMPACT
The program is running at half-time in one semester and will give the participants better opportunities to get more quickly into the Swedish labor market, especially in the academic world.
The initiatives is favourable for both the refugee participants and Swedish universities, which can benefit from the refugees' prior competence.
The first researcher in fast track arrived at the University of West in September 2018, coming from Jordan. Dr Helwath Hussain Jansson had PhD in special education and learning difficulties and joined the fast track after only 6 months since her arrival in Sweden. Through Inclusive Internationalization, Dr Hussain Jansson got a place at University West.