Years of conflict in Sudan have severely disrupted education, particularly for university students. Campuses were closed, internet access limited, and many students were forced to leave their studies. Our community bridges this gap by providing mentorship, structured study groups, and access to global online courses, enabling students to continue learning despite the challenges of war
Learners join structured online groups via WhatsApp/Telegram, attend virtual mentoring sessions, and collaborate on completing Coursera courses. Our model provides peer support, motivation, and progress tracking to help students overcome barriers caused by conflict
Learners join structured online groups via WhatsApp/Telegram, applay for coursera scholaship attend virtual mentoring sessions, and collaborate on completing Coursera courses. Our model provides peer support, motivation, and progress tracking to help students overcome barriers caused by conflict
The Sudanese Coursera Community has grown organically through a combination of digital outreach, storytelling, and peer-driven motivation. What began as a small WhatsApp group has now expanded into a national movement of learners and mentors.
We established a digital marketing team of volunteers responsible for managing our Facebook, Telegram, where they post inspiring success stories, share learning opportunities, and highlight members’ achievements. These real-life stories of transformation have attracted hundreds of new learners who see what’s possible even in difficult circumstances.
To encourage growth, we introduced a “Bring a Friend” initiative, where members receive recognition and digital certificates of appreciation when they help new learners join the community. This peer-referral approach created a sense of ownership and belonging among participants.
We also collaborate with student associations and online youth networks to promote Coursera opportunities during virtual events and educational webinars. In regions with limited internet access, our members share downloadable study resources offline, helping the initiative reach displaced and rural youth.
Through these strategies, the community has expanded from a few dozen students in 2023 to over 5,000 active learners and 50 volunteer mentors across Sudan and continues to grow every month through trust, visibility, and shared impact stories.
Since its creation, we have continuously improved the Sudanese Coursera Community based on learner feedback and local challenges. Initially, it started as a simple WhatsApp group to share Coursera course links. Over time, we introduced several key modifications to make the initiative more impactful and inclusive:
Mentorship Program: We added a volunteer mentor system where experienced learners guide new members in selecting suitable courses, managing time, and completing assignments.
Peer Learning Circles: We created smaller study groups based on shared interests (e.g., digital marketing, public health, research) to promote collaboration and accountability.
Scholarship Guidance: After successfully communicating with Coursera to secure free access for Sudanese students, we started offering training sessions on how to apply for Coursera financial aid and scholarships.
Offline Access Solutions: Due to poor internet connectivity in Sudan, we shared offline study materials and introduced “download sessions” to help learners access content with limited data.
Community-Led Workshops: We now organize periodic virtual workshops and success-story sessions where learners share experiences, career tips, and completed projects
Anyone interested in joining the Sudanese Coursera Community can easily start by following these simple steps:
Join our Community:
Visit our official Telegram or WhatsApp group through our social media links. You will be welcomed by volunteer coordinators who provide initial guidance.
Attend an Orientation Session:
New members are invited to a short virtual session where we explain how Coursera works, how to apply for financial aid or scholarships, and how to choose suitable courses.
Select Your Learning Path:
With help from mentors, you’ll identify your learning goals for example, Digital Skills, Medical Content Writing, Research, or Programming and choose relevant Coursera courses.
Join a Study Circle:
You’ll be added to a peer-learning group (on WhatsApp or Telegram) with students who share similar goals. Together, you’ll discuss progress, share resources, and motivate each other to complete courses.
Track Your Progress and Get Support:
Our volunteer mentors monitor course completion and help you overcome challenges such as time management or internet access.
Share Your Achievement:
Once you finish a course, you can share your certificate and experience during our monthly community meetings to inspire others.
The process is completely free, inclusive, and designed to help Sudanese youth access global learning opportunities even in challenging environments
