Charles Murata, a graduate of the European Master in Migration & Intercultural Relations (EMMIR) programme from Zimbabwe, has been honoured with a prestigious award for the most innovative thesis. His research, supervised by Mgr. Ingrid Baloun, Ph.D., from the Institute of Social and Special Education Sciences at the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, University of South Bohemia (FHSS USB), focused on the experiences of Ukrainian refugees in the Czech Republic, specifically families caring for children with disabilities. Among the 28 students in this year’s EMMIR programme, Charles stood out with his innovative work, which earned him the award.
The EMMIR programme is the first Afro-European-Asian Erasmus Mundus master's course in migration studies. It is jointly managed by a consortium of three African, four European, and two Asian partner institutions, with support from a broader network of affiliated partners. EMMIR is a unique programme that addresses migration through an intercultural lens, equipping students with theoretical and methodological skills to carry out fieldwork, primarily in African, Asian, and European contexts. It is a multidisciplinary, two-year master's programme that tackles pressing contemporary issues in the evolving field of migration.
Charles Murata completed his master's studies at the University of Oldenburg in Germany, but his educational journey was not easy. After finishing high school in his hometown of Chimanimani, Zimbabwe, his family could not afford to send him to university. In 2013–2014, he moved to South Africa to work as a miner and save money for his studies. After saving up enough funds, he pursued a bachelor’s degree in development studies at Midlands State University in Zimbabwe, graduating with honours.
Following his undergraduate success, Charles worked and volunteered with local and international NGOs, including Plan International, Practical Action, and GOAL Zimbabwe. His volunteer work during and after Cyclone Idai, which devastated his community in 2019, significantly shaped his interest in migration research, particularly climate displacement.
Fortuitously, Charles received a scholarship to study in the EMMIR programme, allowing him to study at the University of Oldenburg from 2022 to 2024. The international environment also led to an internship at UNICEF, which further honed his research interests in transnational social protection for vulnerable displaced populations.
Dr. Ingrid Baloun, in her first year of participation in the EMMIR programme, served as Charles's thesis supervisor. Charles chose her for her relevant experience, as well as her proposed thesis topic. Dr. Baloun remarked "We worked closely on his research for over a year. I am thrilled that Charles received the award for the most innovative thesis. His dedication and effort were truly exceptional."
Through his work, Charles gained invaluable experience in academic research, presenting his findings at international conferences where he focused on issues such as youth irregular migration and the impact of climate change. Charles's journey is an inspiration to those striving to make a difference through education and research.
The full article is avalible HERE
