THE EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY Association (EUA) has published a report
about the diversity and inclusion efforts of 159 higher education
institutions from 36 European systems. EUA conducted the
survey to build a knowledge base about the institutional approaches,
success factors, and challenges currently found
at European institutions of higher learning.
Support from the top is critical, according to the report.
Seventy-six percent of respondents say leadership commitment
is one of the top three factors contributing to the success
of diversity strategies. Other important factors include the
direct involvement of targeted groups and universitywide support.
The report reveals that university leaders increasingly understand
that diversity enhances both research and education. They
recognize that teachers, researchers, and administrators all must
support the university’s many different initiatives. Only then can
their schools connect the dots among all of them.
These initiatives vary widely by institution. For instance, Dublin
City University in Ireland has created the DCU in the Community
outreach center with the goal of bringing to campus
people who have never engaged with higher education
before. Vilnius University in Lithuania has a coordinator
who arranges customized accommodations to help
students with disabilities complete their programs.
Universities that want to maintain excellence must
“be able to attract talent at all levels, and in a globalized world,
this means being open to diversity,” says EUA president Michael
Murphy. “Our report presents key evidence about how universities
can and do promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.”
Read the full report.