The Warwick in Africa (WiA) programme was founded in 2006 as a philanthropically funded initiative with the primary aim of supporting secondary level teaching and learning in communities. Our partner schools are located in economically disadvantaged areas of South Africa and Ghana, where education provision is often overstretched and under-resourced.

At the heart of the WiA programme is student volunteering. Teachers, learners, and schools benefit from the support of a small team for a six-week period. Volunteers work closely alongside local teachers in the classroom to help with lessons and associated tasks. The relationship cultivated between Warwick students with a solid command of their subject, and learners who are being engaged in new and interesting ways, prepares the ground for an elevated learning experience. All parties enjoy taking part in a powerful exchange in which ideas, values, traditions, and many other aspects of culture, are shared between people of different backgrounds. Volunteers also play an active role in school life by preparing and delivering after school activity clubs and activities, as well as providing additional help to realise improvements.

Warwick’s position as a leader in global education, and enduring commitment to robust research capabilities and strengthening existing African relationships makes the University best placed to tackle pressing inequalities in African education. Warwick’s established networks and initiatives, including the Africa Hub, Warwick Africa Summit, Warwick Interdisciplinary Centre for International Development (WICID), and strategic partnerships with the University of Stellenbosch and University of Ghana among others further reinforce the ability to implement and scale impactful collaborative education programs.