Since 2023, Professional Studies at the Queen’s Faculty of Education has helped make a difference in the lives of teachers at refugee schools and alternative learning centres. The Professional Studies unit offers professional development courses and programs that give learners practical skills to succeed in today’s job market, while creating opportunities for them to give back and improve the communities they serve.
Through a partnership with Taylor's University in Malaysia, Professional Studies is providing a Global Educator Certificate to graduates of their Night School program. The certificate also counts as advanced standing toward our Post-Graduate Certificate in Workplace Training and Development. This gives these teachers a head start on an advanced credential, one they can pursue whenever the time is right for them.
Operating out of the Taylor's Impact Lab, the Night School is a six-month teacher education program for educators working in alternative learning centres that serve refugee children. Many of these centres are run by refugee communities themselves. Their teachers typically cannot access public teacher training, professional networks or education policy frameworks, and many pay for basic supplies out of their own pockets. The program responds with inclusive teaching strategies, trauma-informed approaches and professional development grounded in educational justice, so teachers are better equipped to serve some of the most vulnerable learners.
Professional Studies' contribution is helping strengthen this training by certifying students alongside their Night School programming, giving teachers who often work outside formal education systems a credential that recognizes their skills. "This international collaboration has been profoundly meaningful, demonstrating how universities across borders can work together to expand educational opportunities for underserved communities," says Senior Lecturer Dr. Lee Yee Ling of Taylor's University.
The collaboration also underscores both universities’ commitment to advancing UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education and promoting equitable access to quality education for displaced and refugee communities. And, it has a noticeable impact. To date, the joint program has recognized 75 teachers. Dr. Lee Yee Ling shared that these certifications inspire refugee teachers "to continue serving their communities with confidence and purpose."
“When we were approached about supporting this program, I was genuinely moved by the opportunity. These teachers are doing important work in very difficult circumstances. They’re helping children learn and giving their communities a chance to build a future.
While providing a Queen’s certificate may seem like a relatively small thing, we hope it gives participants something they can carry forward as they continue their work and build a future for their families.
This partnership reflects what we want Professional Studies to stand for. We want to create opportunities for people to grow through education and make a difference in their communities. Sometimes that means finding ways to support people who might otherwise be overlooked. We were given an opportunity to help these teachers, and supporting the important work Taylor’s University is doing felt like the right thing to do" says Brandon Ruck, Director, Professional and Global Programs, at the Faculty of Education at Queen's.
Collaborations like this one between Taylor's and Queen's provide inclusive strategies to improve teacher training for refugee schools and alternative learning centres. Dr. Lee Yee Ling hopes to build upon the partnership in years to come. "We are proud to have Queen's University as a valued partner in this journey towards educational equity and social impact," she shares.