EUA focus group explores institutional strategies towards diversity and inclusiveness

There are different drivers that lead institutions to develop specific strategies in the area. In several systems there are certain legal requirements that request universities to foster equal opportunities e.g. through specific policies or offices, but many also reported that they see it as an important part of the university’s mission to serve society as a whole. While at first many institutions approached the topic from a gender equality perspective, several participants reported that more recently the approaches had been broadened to encompass diversity in various dimensions such as gender, age, physical/mental condition, socio-economic background, ethnic origin or cultural and religious background. Several also referred to the increased influx of refugees that had put the issue again on the agenda. More...