Evans Lwimba, MSc Education (Inclusive Education)

I am from Zambia, I am profoundly Deaf but I can speak. My area of interest is the inclusion of the Deaf (Hearing Impaired) learners in mainstream school life through the provision of Sign Language as per the Social Model of Disability.

What made you want to study for an MSc?

I have a first degree in Special Education from the University of Zambia. However, it has little made significant differences in the education of learners with Special Educational Needs and/ or Disability (SEND). Zambia has a policy on Inclusive Education (IE) but has no training programme in IE as a course on its own. Therefore, being a person living with a disability and teaching SEND learners, I felt duty-bound to read for an MSc Inclusive Education in order to equip me with necessary inclusivity skills that would contribute to the realisation of inclusive education in Zambia.

Why did you choose the School of Education, University of Bristol, for your studies?

The University of Bristol, School of Education has been, historically, the centre for Deaf studies. Given this background, I felt certain that I would receive the best education and help in my studies as a disabled student.

I received the best help and education that my own country failed to provide for me. I am greatly indebted to my lecturer/supervisor), the School of Education Disability Coordinator, and the University Disability Services for working tirelessly to ensure that all my learning needs were met.

How has completing your MSc helped with your career or further education?

Completing the MSc has not only enhanced my knowledge and skills in inclusive education but has also placed me in the position of trust in inclusivity issues as I have become a contributing source of knowledge and campaigner for the implementation of IE in Zambia.

And finally, do you have any advice or tips for people who are thinking about undertaking a Masters, or continuing their education?

The University of Bristol has the capacity to meet the diverse learning needs of its students including those with different disabilities, and therefore is the best place of choice for any Masters programme, and is my choice for my Ph.D. training programme in the near future.