< Terug naar vorige pagina

Publicatie

What does a successful diversity policy look like? Diversity as the most valuable tool to make learning potential flourish

Tijdschriftbijdrage - Tijdschriftartikel Conferentiebijdrage

Most universities and university colleges are located in different major cities, and it is in these metropolitan areas that we speak more and more of 'super diversity'. Most institutions of higher education are therefore working on the development of a diversity plan to deal with this diversity. Diversity policy then means recognise and accept the unique qualities, talents of all students (and staff) to enable opportunities to fully develop the potential of students. Figures show that students with diverse characteristics still run into a number of barriers, causing them to leave school faster or not to obtain a diploma. And this while higher education should strive for equal educational opportunities for every student. To grow towards inclusion, we need to align our educational environment and education practice to the learning needs and talents of each student in the diverse student population and this should all be captured in a decent, wellstructured diversity policy. This publication tries to clarify the barriers that students encounter with various characteristics and how we can then tackle these barriers in an integral diversity policy showing two different examples out of the educational practice. Only structural and inclusive changes in education and curricula are the solution to create an inclusive environment. In other words: creating a welcoming community that engages all of its diversity in the services of student and organizational learning by installing three important pillars: (1) inclusive culture, (2) implementing inclusive practices and (3) anchoring inclusive policy.
Tijdschrift: EAPRIL 2015 Proceedings
ISSN: 2406-4653
Volume: 4
Pagina's: 193 - 203
Jaar van publicatie:2017
Toegankelijkheid:Closed