Project
BERT - Breaking Education Barriers: Inclusion, Rehabilitation, and Technology
Project sponsors
Abbreviation
Project type
Focus area
Implementation time
1.1.2024
-
31.8.2026
Unit
Financing program
HEP (Higher Education Partnership Programme)
Primary home page
UN Sustainable development goals
Project description
The goal of the BERT-project is to enhance the ability of East African universities to dismantle various barriers (including digital) that hinder the inclusion and social participation of people with disabilities. The project supports partner universities in promoting multidisciplinary rehabilitation services, accessibility of studies, and the use of technological aids in teaching students with disabilities. Additionally, the project aims to elevate the education level and expertise of partner universities in developing accessible and barrier-free learning environments and teaching.
Funded by the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, and administered by The Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI), the Higher Education Partnership (HEP) program supports collaboration between Finnish and developing countries' universities. The BERT-project is part of the HEP-program, which also aligns with the goals of the Finnish government program to strengthen Finland's contribution to the education sector in developing countries. The BERT-project is coordinated by Jamk University of Applied Sciences. Other implementers in the project include the University of Tampere, the University of Rwanda, and the State University of Zanzibar. The project will be implemented during the years 2024–2026.
For more information about the project: BERT (Jamk.fi)
Aychesh Nigussie Koski
Project Manager
etunimi.sukunimi@jamk.fi
+358503069714
Aino Alaverdyan
Project Specialist
etunimi.sukunimi@jamk.fi
+358503439219
Project results
During 2024–2026, the BERT project strengthened the capacity of higher education institutions in Rwanda and Zanzibar to advance disability inclusion, accessibility and inclusive education. The project combined evidence generation, capacity building, co-creation, mobility and institutional development, progressing from initial assessment and awareness raising towards institutionalisation and sustainability.
Regional inclusive education workshops were organised in Finland, Rwanda and Zanzibar, bringing together higher education institutions, students with disabilities and other relevant stakeholders. A Landscape Analysis on Disability Inclusion, Rehabilitation and Technology in Higher Education Institutions in Rwanda and Tanzania (Zanzibar) was completed, providing an evidence base for subsequent activities.
Three Design Thinking co-creation workshops were conducted, resulting in jointly developed inclusive pedagogical approaches and practical solutions. Academic mobility between Finland and the partner countries strengthened mutual learning and collaboration. Peer groups of students with disabilities received accessibility audit training and conducted student-led built-environment audits at partner institutions.
At the institutional level, SUZA upgraded its Diploma in Inclusive Education towards a Bachelor-level program and strengthened staff capacity through inclusive higher education training. The University of Rwanda integrated inclusive education into its Master's program in Rehabilitation and Mobility Sciences and improved accessibility through washroom modifications and assistive technology. Tampere University completed the digital Manual on Assistive Technologies and Accessibility in Education.
SUZA organized consecutive capacity-building trainings for their faculty members and other HEIs in Zanzibar, and a job fair connecting graduating SWDs and employers. ?
Good project visibility through website, blog, social media, and participation in international conferences (London inclusive education conference, Kenya, ISATT). The Inclusive Education Network was established, which also aims to support the sustainability of BERT activities?.
The overall project implementation is in alignment with the Finnish Development Policy, the United Nations
Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, and the Sustainable Development Goals?.