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About this project

The project “Requalification and Professional Integration of Teachers with a Refugee Background” aims to enable teachers with refugee experience to have equal access to higher education and the teaching profession. In doing so, it contributes to addressing the shortage of teachers and strengthens social diversity within teaching teams.

As part of the project, five universities of teacher education are developing targeted programmes for teachers with a refugee background. These programmes either facilitate the recognition of their foreign diploma by the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education (EDK) or support them in obtaining an EDK-recognised diploma. The programmes take into account both training and professional experience acquired abroad, and they include support measures as well as a bridging programme – in particular in the areas of German language skills, practical experience in the Swiss school environment, and knowledge of the Swiss education system.

To ensure sustainability, the bridging programme and support measures are to be integrated into the regular structures of the participating universities of teacher education. An expansion to include additional universities in other language regions as well as other individuals holding foreign teaching diplomas is planned.

The project work started on 1 April 2025. The first pilot run of the bridging programme is scheduled to start in autumn 2026. The support measures are expected to begin in autumn 2027. The project will run until December 2028.

Subprojects

Subproject 1, “Networking, Knowledge Transfer and Exchange of Experience”, aims to establish an advisory group – including teachers with a refugee background – as well as a partner school network. In several events involving partners such as NGOs, migration associations, and cantonal integration and education authorities, challenges will be discussed and potential solutions developed.

Subproject 2, “Bridging Programme”, is developing a one-year program to prepare participants for the recognition of their diploma or for a (shortened) university of teacher education (UTE) degree program. The focus is on German language support, practical teaching experience, and familiarization with the Swiss education system. The launch is planned for autumn 2026. The participation criteria are currently being clarified.

Subproject 3, “Support Programme”, is developing tailored support services for teachers with a refugee background who are undertaking an abbreviated course of study at a university of teacher education. The first run is scheduled for autumn 2027.

Participating Universities of Teacher Education

Five Universities of Teacher Education from German-speaking Switzerland are involved. Co-leading houses: PH Luzern and PH FHNW.

• University of Teacher Education Lucerne 
• University of Teacher Education FHNW 
• University of Teacher Education Zurich 
• University of Teacher Education St. Gallen 
• University of Teacher Education Zug 

Programme swissuniversities

The project is supported by project-related funding within the programme “Equal Opportunities – Promotion of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at all levels of higher education (2025–2028)” by swissuniversities and is funded by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation as well as the State Secretariat for Migration.

Contact

For further information about the project, please feel free to contact us at requalifikation.ph@fhnw.ch