Inclusive and flexible curriculum design framework in work-based learning: providing high-impact transnational education opportunities in Sub-Saharan Africa

Impactful pedagogies in Higher Education are required to meet the challenges of the 21st Century. This chapter outlines an inclusive, flexible and work-based learning curriculum design framework to respond to these needs. Two cases from Glasgow Caledonian University are used to illustrate this framework in a transnational educational context in Sub-Saharan Africa. Case one explores the impact of a Railway Operations Management programme in South Africa, where the views of two cohorts of 137 recent graduates were gathered through an online questionnaire. Case two examines the views of Optometry/Orthoptics students who undertook an intensive two-week clinical work experience on the train-based clinic (Phelophepa train) in South Africa; data was gathered through an online questionnaire from 58 participating students since 2014. Both examples highlight transformative personal experiences and impacts of their education beyond just their studies – to a clearer sense of personal and professional pride, to becoming role models for their families and to developing meta-cognitive skills to support lifelong learning. In the Railway Operations Management example, additional benefits were seen to their organisation – through improved interpersonal skills, decision making and problem solving and creating knowledge-sharing – whereas in the Optometry/Orthoptics case life-changing impacts to patients were delivered through this work experience.