Richmond announces partnership with Professors Without Borders

The University is delighted to be supporting the social enterprise Professors Without Borders which, by providing university lecturers and professors, aims to make first class education available for students in developing countries without the need to go abroad.

Professors Without Borders was created by a small team, including an alumni of Richmond, Tessy Antony De Luxembourg, as well as a former Richmond professor, Caroline Varin.

The University is supporting the work of the social enterprise through different initiatives including student internships or co-operation on research projects. Dr Carola Hieker, MBA Director at Richmond, is also an Advisory Board member for Professors Without Borders.

John Annette, President of Richmond, The American International University in London at the University said, “We’re proud to be supporting Professors Without Borders. In developing countries, many young people don’t have the chance to learn because they’re a girl, or come from a poor family, or live in a rural area. Our work with Professors Without Borders will help change this, ensuring that more people will have access to a high quality education and greater opportunities in their own country. By reducing the need for students to go abroad, it will also help stop the ‘brain drain’ effect of high potential students leaving their country for a better education which is expensive and may risk them not returning.”

Professors Without Borders runs several key initiatives, which include building short term summer schools, made available to any institution that invites the charity to their campus. Free summer schools have been organised so far in Sierra Leone, Uganda, Thailand and India. The team of passionate volunteers who run the education sessions are keen to make a difference to the lives of their students, building their skills and confidence to prepare them for their future careers.

The Professors Without Borders team are currently planning for a summer school taking place in Sierra Leone in July and August 2018, with Richmond providing three interns to support the team.

In addition, the charity operates its own ‘Think Tank’ to share learning with other academics and policy makers. Several papers are published each year based on experience gained in each country.

Tailored education and training experiences are also offered by Professors Without Borders to companies, organisations and students. Visit the website for details.

Tessy Antony de Luxembourg, co-founder of Professors Without Borders and former student at Richmond, commented, “In two years, we have operated five summer schools, three in Sierra Leone, followed by our first project in Asia in Bangkok and another one in Uganda at the first women’s university in Africa. We’ve worked in challenging conditions, facing storms and floods, flat tyres and logistical mountains with administrators and bureaucrats.”

“What’s made it all worthwhile is that we have touched so many lives already, inspired students and worked with lecturers locally to address the needs of the community. I am incredibly grateful to all the people who have volunteered their time and all our talented lecturers and interns. I really enjoyed my time at Richmond and I’m delighted to be now working with the University. Many of the students who’ve been on internships with us have said the experience has been incredibly formative for their education and careers.”