BERT | Jamk

The Higher Education Partnership (HEP) Programme supports cooperation projects between higher education institutions in Finland and the developing world. The projects support the HEIs as they develop their subject-specific, methodological, educational and administrative capacity. The programme is funded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland and administered by the Finnish National Agency for Education.

Breaking Barriers in Education: Inclusion, Rehabilitation, and Technology (BERT) project aims to contribute towards the enhanced capacity of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in East Africa to break down barriers hindering the full inclusion of persons with disabilities into society in the digital era. Specifically, the project aims to address the removing barriers that impede the full inclusion of persons with disabilities, thereby fostering a more equitable educational landscape.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs funds the project, which is administered by the Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI). The project will be carried out between the years 2024 and 2026. Jamk – University of Applied Sciences Jyväskylä is the coordinator of the project. Other partners in the BERT project are the University of Tampere, the University of Rwanda, and the State University of Zanzibar.

Joint Webinar on Inclusive Education by Four Higher Education Partnership (HEP) Projects: TIPOTE, FUTE, HEP-TED, and BERT

On November 6, 2024, the four Higher Education Partnership (HEP) projects— TIPOTE, FUTE, HEP-TED, and BERT—collaborated to host an engaging and insightful webinar on inclusive education.

The event provided an important platform for discussing the shared theme of inclusive education, exchanging innovative ideas, and exploring strategies for fostering greater collaboration, including the project partners’ higher education institutions in the south. Through this joint initiative, the projects aim to deepen understanding of inclusive practices and promote lasting cooperation within higher education.

BERT Project Inclusive Pedagogy Workshop at the State University of Zanzibar

The BERT Project Inclusive pedagogyworkshop was held from September 9 to 11 at the State University of Zanzibar. The event brought together educators, disability advocates, and key stakeholders to advance inclusive education practices in higher education across East Africa.

We are grateful for the enthusiasm and dedication of all participants and look forward to continuing this important work.

Insights from BERT's First Workshop in Finland

The Jamk’s BERT project team is delighted to announce the completion of Jamk's Breaking Education Barriers: Inclusion, Rehabilitation, and Technology (BERT) project's first face-to-face workshop, which was held in Finland from arch 25-27, 2024, at the campuses of Jamk University of Applied Sciences in Jyväskylä.

The BERT project’s esteemed partners from Tampere University, the University of Rwanda, and The State University of Zanzibar played a pivotal role in this significant milestone of our collaborative journey.

Accessible environments enable higher education for people with disabilities – Jamk is involved in enhancing inclusive East African universities

The right kind of accessible learning and working environments enable the participation of individuals with disabilities in higher education and society more broadly, promoting inclusivity.

The BERT - Breaking Education Barriers: Inclusion, Rehabilitation, and Technology -project (2024–2026) aims to improve inclusive learning environments and practices in two East African partner universities.

More information

Aychesh Nigussie Koski

Tutkija, Researcher

Kuntoutusinstituutti, Institute of Rehabilitation

Hyvinvointi, School of Health and Social Studies

+358503069714

[email protected]

Jenni Koivumäki

Lehtori, Senior Lecturer

Kuntoutusinstituutti, Institute of Rehabilitation

Hyvinvointi, School of Health and Social Studies

+358505239559

[email protected]