Academics Without Borders: Empowering Education, Enriching Lives
Academics Without Borders (AWB) is a charitable organization based in Canada that collaborates with higher education institutions in the most disadvantaged countries, enhancing their capacity to educate the professionals and leaders crucial for the prosperous societies they aspire to build.
AWB provides chances for Canadian university faculty and staff to volunteer in ongoing projects or propose new ones. Typically, these efforts stem from established partnerships with colleagues in collaborating institutions.
Join the Global Effort
In many parts of the world, higher education institutions face significant challenges in providing quality education due to limited resources and support. AWB steps in to bridge this gap by leveraging the expertise of Canadian university faculty and staff. By volunteering with AWB, you can make a tangible difference in communities striving for progress and development.
AWB offers unique opportunities for Canadian university faculty and staff to volunteer in ongoing projects or propose new ones. These initiatives are often born from established partnerships with colleagues in collaborating institutions, ensuring that the efforts are meaningful and impactful.
Types of Projects Supported by AWB
AWB projects typically include:
• Enhancing Research Capacities: Providing training and resources to boost research capabilities.
• Developing Academic Programs/Curricula: Assisting in the creation and improvement of academic programs to meet international standards.
• Enhancing Teaching Methods: Introducing innovative teaching techniques and best practices.
• Conducting Graduate Workshops: Facilitating workshops to help graduate students and faculty advance their skills.
• Assessing Policies: Reviewing and recommending policies to improve institutional efficiency and effectiveness.
• Enhancing University Governance: Supporting better governance practices to ensure sustainable institutional development.
Coverage of Expenses
AWB volunteers are reimbursed for their expenses but are not paid a salary. Depending on the specific call for volunteers, AWB may cover some or all of the following expenses:
• Necessary vaccinations and medications
• Medical and travel insurance
• Economy air travel
• In-transit costs for hotels and meals
• Stipend for living expenses
• Visa costs
Get Involved!
If you’re interested in making a difference through volunteering, subscribe to AWB’s newsletter to receive the latest news about volunteering opportunities you might be interested in.
Additional resources:
Current Opportunities
Enhancing Learner-Centred Pedagogical Skills of Faculty Members
Number of Volunteers: 1 AWB volunteer needed (an ISW/FSW facilitator) has already been identified.
Requirements: We are looking for an experienced ISW/FDW facilitator (working or retired). Applicants should have excellent interpersonal, communication and facilitation skills and be excited about the role of higher education in global development. Those with experience working in academic settings in low and middle-income countries are especially encouraged to apply.
Start Date and Duration: The volunteer must be available to travel to Ghana from June 24 to July 7, 2025. Prior to those dates, meetings will take place online.
Deadline: Monday, March 31st, 2025
Read more about this opportunity here.
For more information, contact AWB's Associate Executive Director, Projects & Network Corrie Young
Designing a Comprehensive Research Policy for the University of Saint Joseph Mbarara, Uganda
This project will be conducted both online and in person.
Who is eligible? AWB are looking for a faculty member who has received a PhD in a relevant field such as education, research administration or policy studies. Applicants must have extensive academic research experience including conducting studies, publishing findings in peer reviewed journals and managing research projects.
Start date: Online collaborations as soon as possible with on site work commencing in June 2025.
Deadline to apply: March 3, 2025
Read more about this opportunity here.
For more information, contact AWB's Associate Executive Director, Projects & Network Corrie Young
Call for Project Proposals - First Stage Submissions: Capacity-building project in an institution of higher education in low or middle-income countries.
Proposal requirements:
Due to environmental reasons, AWB encourages projects that can be implemented in whole or in part online. AWB will consider projects with on-site activity however, projects should be maximizing the work that can be done remotely prior to on-site visits.
Proposals must conform with AWB’s mission and operating principles and be in countries in which AWB works.
Deadline: March 10, 2025
Read more about this opportunity here.
For more information, contact AWB's Associate Executive Director, Projects & Network Corrie Young
Past Opportunities
Volunteer opportunity with the Université d’Antsiranana in Madagascar; deadline October 21, 2024.
AWB Volunteer Opportunity: Needs Assessment and Implementation Plan in Kenya
Read more about this opportunity here.
For more information, contact AWB’s Associate Executive Director Corrie Young
Call for Project Proposals – First Stage Submissions
Read more about this opportunity here.
For more information, contact AWB’s Associate Executive Director Corrie Young
Volunteer Opportunity for Facilitators for Online Teaching in Higher Education Program
Deadline was November 25, 2024
Read more about this opportunity here
For more information, contact AWB’s Associate Executive Director Corrie Young