University of Birmingham and YTL Foundation celebrate groundbreaking class of 2024

Graduates received their certificates at an awards ceremony in Kuala Lumpur. Sixteen of them are now starting a master’s degree in education at university after successfully completing the program, which is supported by the YTL Foundation and Dreams Asia.

Professor Karen Guldberg, Head of the School of Education at the University of Birmingham, commented: “Our awards ceremony was a heartfelt celebration of the dedication, resilience and achievements of these students.

“They embarked on a transformative twelve-month journey, balancing their work as teachers in some of Malaysia’s most disadvantaged schools to demonstrate exceptional perseverance and professionalism in their pursuit of inclusive education.”

The Postgraduate Certificate in International Education (Malaysia) (PGCEi) is a unique initiative designed in partnership with philanthropic organizations and underserved schools. The blended program included face-to-face teaching, physical and remote classroom observation, and online learning.

The program is designed to equip teachers with the skills and knowledge to make a meaningful impact in their classrooms and in their communities. A notable feature of the initiative was an experience-based admissions policy that enabled refugee teachers, whose own education has been disrupted by displacement, to access postgraduate study.

Graduate Gan Jia Huey, who taught at a disadvantaged Malaysian formal (national) school while participating in the PGCEi, noted: “The idea of ​​inclusive education may seem utopian, but the PGCEi has proven that inclusive pedagogy is not just a theoretical issue is. idea. It is a practical approach that requires collaboration between clients, academic experts and community leaders. By bridging these worlds, the program offered us, teachers, the opportunity to create a more holistic and responsive educational environment for our students. My PGCEi journey was a very useful learning experience.”

Graduate Dee De, who teaches at a refugee school, commented: “One of the most important and practical lessons I learned from the PGCEi was the power of adaptive teaching – the idea that one size does not fit all. Each lesson became an opportunity to not only teach academic content, but also to provide emotional support and build trust. It wasn’t an overnight transformation, but the progress was real and meaningful.

“This experience has taught me that inclusivity in education is not just about addressing differences; it’s about embracing them. It’s about meeting each student where they are and guiding them to where they need to be. The PGCEi has given me the tools to do this effectively, and for that I am very grateful.”

The University of Birmingham is committed to promoting inclusive education and ensuring that every child, regardless of background or ability, can thrive in a mainstream education environment.

It established and co-funds the Teachers for Educational Equity initiative, which combines the Postgraduate Certificate in International Education (Malaysia) with research activities designed to develop compelling evidence of the positive impact of effective, inclusive and quality education for children, teachers and communities. .

Professor Kevin Myers, Program Leader for Learning and Teaching, commented: “The University of Birmingham is confident that our pioneering class of 2024 will leave a lasting legacy in the field of education. Their dedication, passion and commitment to inclusive education will continue to inspire and influence generations of educators to come.

“The success of the program would not have been possible without the generous support of the YTL Foundation and Dreams Asia. The University extends its deepest gratitude to Dato’ Kathleen Chew, Program Director of YTL Foundation, and Stanley Tan, Chairman of Dreams Asia, for their continued commitment to educational equality. Their support has played an important role in making this program a reality.”