MIT ReACT Impact Report 2021-2022

MIT ReACT Transformational Education Programs

The challenges resulting from forced displacement are likely to include lack of access to basic human rights, physical protection, personal capacity development, economic opportunity and quality education, leaving many in vulnerable and uncertain situations. Serving and supporting talented and motivated learners from refugee, migrant, and underserved communities with learning and professional development opportunities is how the MIT Refugee Action Hub (ReACT) provides pathways for meaningful employment and well-being. Our aim is to help refugees and migrants become agents of positive change in their careers and communities.

This year, ReACT ran its fourth cohort of its Certificate in Computer and Data Science, admitting 135 talented learners to participate in our largest and most diverse cohort to date. To blend ReACT’s online learning program with onsite activities and support, we are building relationships in seven global hubs in Jordan, Uganda, Afghanistan, Greece, Uruguay, United States and Colombia representing clusters of learners.

ReACT’s ability to broaden its efforts was made possible with the support of the Western Union Foundation, MIT’s Office of the Provost, the MIT Afghan Working Group, individuals donors, and MIT Open Learning. Most of all, we are continually inspired by the ReACT learners and alumni for their drive, resilience, and determination to give back to their communities, using their skills and talents to innovate and make a better world.

Migration Summit: Education and Workforce Development in Displacement

Last April, the MIT Refugee Action Hub (ReACT) together with Na’amal, Karam Foundation, Paper Airplanes and the MIT Abdul Latif Jameel World Education Lab (J-WEL) organized the Migration Summit 2022, a month-long global convening designed to build bridges between diverse communities of displaced learners, universities, companies, NGOs, policy makers, and other key stakeholders around the key challenges and opportunities for refugee and migrant communities on the theme of “Education and Workforce Development in Displacement.”

The goal of the Summit was to create new spaces of collaboration and risk-taking, share best practices and deepen cross-institutional connections in order to address these critical gaps and challenges in education and livelihood for displaced communities. We sought to build community and capacity among conveners to establish new ways of working collaboratively together to yield new practice and research spaces in the area of refugee education and livelihoods.

In 2023 we’ll be running the second edition of the Migration Summit event which is currently being planned with an organizing team of more than 50 global volunteers under the theme "Co-creating Pathways to Learning, Livelihood and Dignity."

ReACT Alumni

ReACT has conferred the Certificate in Computer and Data Science to 90 alumni since the start of our program in 2018. Our learners are highly motivated, with a 88% completion rate.

Motivated by their technical and leadership education in the ReACT program, many learners pivot in their careers or look to launch new ventures. 79% of alumni are considering starting entrepreneurial ventures and over 65% alumni are employed at companies like Meta, Stanley Black and Decker, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), and the New York City Mayor’s Office.

How you can support

We are facing the biggest humanitarian crisis the world has ever seen. Your gift to MIT ReACT will ensure we can continue to support refugee, migrant, and underserved communities with free and open learning and professional development opportunities. Here are a variety of ways you can contribute to our efforts:

• Host paid interns in computer and data science roles at your company or university
• Participate on our Mentorship Program?
• Open up supplemental learning opportunities for our learners such as workshops, hackathons, and networking events online and in person?
• Donate equipment (laptops, hard drives) and open up physical spaces for learners to meet, study, and work together.
• Be an advocate and public champion.
• Recruit and connect us with potential ambassadors, partners, and sponsors.
• Design curriculum and programming; join as an instructor, coach, or mentor.
• Give to support ReACT's programs, opening up opportunity for learners around the world.

We’ll continue providing a platform for the top talent from underserved communities to gather and learn in a rigorous, yet supportive, community environment. Please?subscribe to our newsletter?to stay informed of future opportunities and events, or email [email protected] to learn more about how to get involved.