This blog was written by IGHI Teaching Fellow, Julien le Jeune d’Allegeershecque. It features reflections on wellbeing, belonging and flexibility in online learning from Julien and Dunya Al‑Hayali, a MSc Health Policy student.
More and more students are opting for online postgraduate taught (PGT) programmes. It allows people from diverse cultural, linguistic and professional backgrounds to balance study with work and caring commitments. Although flexible and convenient, the online environment doesn’t have in-person contact and it can present unfamiliar institutional norms. This can affect students’ confidence, engagement and academic outcomes.
In a recent presentation for Imperial’s Students’ Voice initiative, chaired by Monica Tolocica from the Imperial Institute of Lifelong Learning, Dunya and I explored the challenges of online education. Dunya shared insights from her experience as a MSc Health Policy student. The online master’s programme is delivered by the Institute of Global Health Innovation.
The first IGHI Education Community event took place on the evening of Thursday, 11 April 2024. Organised by the Student Wellbeing in IGHI Postgraduate Education (SWIPE) team, in collaboration with St John International, the event welcomed guests in the surrounds of the Museum of the Order of St John’s historic Chapter Hall.
IGHI Education Community Event – The role of the third sector in health systems: focus on the order of St John
IGHI students and staff, alongside guests from the Order of St John, had the privilege of hearing an engaging and eye-opening series of talks from esteemed speakers from both the International Order of St John and St John Ambulance England.
She was followed by James Radford, Chief of Staff at St John Ambulance England, who discussed St John Ambulance’s position and role within the UK health system and its interactions with the NHS. Mr Radford stressed the importance of relationship building and the benefits for an organisation of creating a clear identity and staying true to it.
James Radford
Mr Richard Lee, Chief Operation Officer of St John Ambulance England, delivered the final talk of the evening. Mr Lee’s presentation focused on the role St John Ambulance played during the COVID pandemic and provided an enlightening explanation of how the organisation mobilised, trained, and deployed close to 30,000 volunteers to deliver COVID vaccinations within an 8-week timeframe.
The presentations were rounded off by a panel discussion, facilitated by Joe Kerr, during which the speakers shared their thoughts on lessons learned from the pandemic, the impact of changes in the political landscape on third-sector planning, and the experience and lessons learned by transitioning from a 36-year career within the Foreign Office to a senior leadership role within a third-sector organisation.
Panel discussion, facilitated by Joe Kerr
Drinks and a networking session followed, providing guests with the chance to partake in refreshments, chat, and enjoy the splendid atmosphere of the Chapter Hall.
The SWIPE team wish to thank St John International, St John Ambulance England, and the Museum of the Order of St John, for their help in organising this event. Future IGHI Education Community Events are in the process of being planned, so keep your ears to the ground and make sure to join us for the next event!
