Refugee Higher Education and Future Reconstruction Efforts: Exploring the Connection through the Innovative Technological Implementation of a University Course in Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Uganda

Abstract

Higher education (HE) for refugees and displaced persons has often been considered a luxury. However, the humanitarian and educational sectors have recently committed to offering HE to this population. This is a welcome development, as research demonstrates that HE is intrinsically connected to development at the individual, community, and national levels. This study presents the findings of an HE program with thirty refugee students in Uganda which utilized offline technology to improve content knowledge in agribusiness, digital literacy, and other skills. The study’s results advance the idea that refugees, upon return to their home country, are better able to contribute to the reconstruction efforts of post-conflict societies when they have participated in HE programs.