The Global Higher Education Alliance for the 21st Century (GHEA21) Hubs for Connected Learning Initiatives (Hubs) are co-led by Bard College and BRAC University’s Center for Peace and Justice. The Hubs deliver learner-centered, contextualized programming that is innovative in its use of technology to support participants in low-resource settings and builds local capacity to support implementation. The Hubs currently operate in Eastern Africa, the MENA region, and South Asia.
What We Do
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The Hubs Capacity Building works to develop programs such as Facilitator Training, a program that empowers Refugees into educational leaders; Researcher Training, a collaboration project with the Rift Valley Institute (RVI) that prepares Refugees with research skills; and Refugee-led Organizations (RLO's) Capacity Building, a training process in which the Hubs works with those running the RLO's in all of its facets of program implementation,
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Higher education offerings in the form of a university preparatory program and interdisciplinary course clusters that result in transferable credits accumulation, official transcripts, and GHEA21 certificates of completion for students who have been unable to access a bachelor’s degree.
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A refugee- and host community-led research hub to support local training in qualitative and quantitative approaches and to develop locally-situated research. Research supports the Hubs’ wider advocacy efforts by raising awareness of the barriers and challenges that refugees face.
Current Events and Opportunities
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Workshop
Photo by Yan Krukau on Pexels
Sunday, September 27, 2026Civic Engagement Workshop: What is the Best Way to Recruit Team Members and Volunteers? Debate Workshop
Online Event 8:00 am EDT/GMT-4
This series of monthly workshops is facilitated by Global Engagement Fellows and brings student leaders together from across GHEA21 to learn from each other’s experiences, reflect on each other's work, gain insight and training, and work together on gathering material helpful for new project leaders. By bringing the effective work of student leaders to light, this series provides them with the necessary assessments, knowledge, abilities, and skills needed to ensure sustainable projects.
This month’s session focuses on building a strong and committed team for your civic engagement projects. Learn how to identify, recruit, and retain volunteers and team members while exploring various approaches through interactive communication, discussion, and debate.
Facilitators: Hussein Al-Ameri, Ala’a Abhari, Ntlahla Sikwana, Inares Kenne Tsangue
Join via Zoom
Other workshops: October 25, Sunday: How to write a proposal for your project and apply for funding November 29, Sunday: How to find and use AI effectively for implementing your project December 27, Sunday: Emotional intelligence January 24, Sunday: How to set goals for your project and build your team February 28, Sunday: Healthy organization March 28, Sunday: Project sustainability and making your project bigger April 25, Sunday: Cultural sensitivity when working with vulnerable groups May 30, Sunday: How to make a website for your project June 27, Sunday: How to write a project report July 25, Sunday: How to turn your project into a full-time job
September 27, 20268:00 am EDT/GMT-4
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Conference
Thursday, October 15, 2026
Virtual Student Leadership Conference is Accepting Applications
Online Event
The Virtual Student Leadership Conference is a two-day online international conference, held each October, that brings together students who want to become involved with community or socially-based engagement, to learn leadership or project management, and explore ways to get involved throughout the GHEA21 Network. It is an action-oriented, skill-based workshop series that includes student presentations and community networking. The conference provides a venue to build a network of young social entrepreneurs and change agents to encourage future collaborations and the exchange of ideas.
The conference will take place October 24 – 25, 2026, from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM EDT. Register by October 15 to secure your spot.
Register here
October 15, 2026Online Event