Adult Education for Social Change

Adult education aims to equip individuals with relevant skills to address social and economic inequality. Globally, societies are encountering increased social and economic polarisation. While global elites are becoming wealthier, the majority of the world experiences poverty, lack of access to education, displacement due to war and environmental degradation, and labour market exploitation. A concern about social inequality and a belief that adult educators can contribute to social change based on smart, sustainable and inclusive growth is the driving force behind the creation of the International Master in Adult Education for Social Change (IMAESC). IMAESC brings together European and international universities, VET institutions, private companies, community-based organisations and policy units who recognise that Adult Education for Social Change is a powerful tool in producing competent, critical citizens and for developing just, equitable and democratic societies. Adult education has been recognised in Europe as a critical element in addressing challenges pertaining to employment, research and innovation, climate change and energy, education and combating poverty.The International Master in Adult Education for Social Change (IMAESC) is an Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Degree programme. IMAESC is a 24 month full-time programme with three mandatory mobility periods and an optional summer school. IMAESC has been designed to maximise the learning outcomes through both student and staff mobility and is innovative in the interconnectedness of the curriculum. The study track undertaken will determine the particular combination of degree-awarding partners. Students who undertake semester 2 at the University of Malta (Critical Issues, Policy and Curriculum Study Track) will be jointly awarded their degree by the University of Glasgow, University of Malta, Open University of Cyprus and Tallinn University. Students who undertake semester 2 at Maynooth University (Community Engagement and Education Study Track) will be jointly awarded their degree by the University of Glasgow, Maynooth University, Open University of Cyprus and Tallinn University.The programme has a work-based learning placement built into each of the European Union mobility periods. The placements are designed to provide a depth and breadth of experience across three European contexts (Scotland; Malta or Ireland; and Estonia) as well the option for a non-European cultural experience in Malaysia. The first placement at the University of Glasgow will focus on adult learning and ‘teaching in the context of community regeneration’. The second placement may be taken at the University of Malta or Maynooth University; the University of Malta placement allows students to gain experience in teaching English to migrants (teaching English to migrants in times of austerity) while the Maynooth University placement offers students experience in community activism (adult education in the context of contested terrain). The third placement at Tallinn University will centre on two themes: ‘professionalisation of adult education’ and ‘recognition of prior learning’. The development of research skills is supported by all partners throughout the programme culminating in a specialised research dissertation.