In 2017, UpGlo partnered with Coursera, a leading online education provider, to launch our Coursera for Refugees program. The program gives UpGlo’s refugee and asylee program participants full access to Coursera’s database of trainings and courses from top U.S. college and universities—ranging from software development and data analytics to business communication skills. To date, UpGlo has enrolled more than 500 refugee and asylee job seekers in the program.

Mohammed is an electrical and computer engineer who came to the U.S. from Iraq on a Special Immigrant Visa, which he was granted due to his work supporting the U.S. military. After arriving in the U.S., he took a job as a shuttle driver earning $10.00 an hour to make ends meet. Coursera was an essential part of his job search, and he took the “Object-Oriented Programming” course to build his industry knowledge. With the help of UpGlo and Coursera, Mohammed was able to secure a position as Web OPs support/Software Engineer with Sinclair Broadcast Group, where he recently received a promotion.

“Everyone that participates in UpGlo MUST and NEEDS TO take Coursera courses in their area of interest to build professional skills.”