SERBIA
FACULTY OF LAW, BELGRADE UNIVERSITY
In addition to observing the enrolment quotas prescribed by law for students with disabilities and Roma students, the Faculty of Law also practices financial relief for sensitive categories of students (reduction of tuition fees, free preparatory classes for taking the entrance exam, exemption from costs for taking the entrance exam, etc.), and special scholarships and prizes are awarded to socially disadvantaged students (100 scholarships of the Faculty of Law; prizes of the “Prof. Dr. Mirko Vasiljević” foundation)
UNIVERSITY OF NOVI SAD, Autonomous Province of VOJVODINA
The Information and Public Relations Centre (University Info-centre), founded in 2017 as an organizational unit of the University, provides all necessary information and support, among others, to students with disabilities. The information centre provides support to students with disabilities in providing information on study conditions and ways of support at faculties, affirmative measures during studies, architectural accessibility of each faculty, scholarships, student exchanges, work practices and employment. In the process of providing the services of the Info-centre, the role of the mentor, who follows and supports students from enrolment to graduation and finding a job, is significant.
FACULTY OF PEDAGOGICAL SCIENCES in Jagodina, UNIVERSITY OF KRAGUJEVAC
This institution is dedicated to better social promotion of inclusive culture, as well as to providing better information to the scientific and professional public about examples of good practice. Such attitude positively affects the enrolment policy, as well as the number of students who opt for study programmes in this institution dedicated to inclusive practices.
COLLEGE OF VOCATIONAL STUDIES FOR PRESCHOOL TEACHERS AND MEDICAL NURSES, Vršac, Autonomous Province Vojvodina
Since Roma population is a national minority with the most unfavourable socio-economic position, and a very young age structure in which even 40% of the population is under 19 years old, special measures are applied to facilitate enrolment for these students.
The Government of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina recognized the quality and potential of this higher education institution, so in 2009 a decision was made that this Government, through the Office for Roma Inclusion, would provide scholarships for the enrolment of 10 Roma students in the first year of higher education every year. These scholarships cover the costs of food and accommodation in the student dormitory, and when they are enrolled for the second and every subsequent year, students also receive a state scholarship. The Roma students also apply for other available scholarships and they are helped by colleagues and professors during the application process. The Provincial Secretariat also provides other types of assistance to Roma students, for example, distribution of laptops to the best students, financing of excursions, etc. Throughout the year, and especially in the period before enrolment, various activities take place that contribute to increasing the visibility of the school as a friendly institution for the Roma population. All information about enrolment and studies on the website of the University can be obtained in four languages: Serbian, Romani, Romanian and English. All information materials and curriculum guides published by the College are multilingual.
ROMANIA
UAB
The support on enrollment offered by UAB consisted in publishing online information on the admission procedures for students from underprivileged areas, on the website of all UAB faculties, as well as in organizing online webinars, and counselling sessions in order to provide a more personalized approach to the interaction with potential students and to encourage a wider range of high school students to sit the entrance examination.
UCV
The support on enrollment offered by UCV consisted in the development and adaptation of strategic promotional and counselling programmes to currents needs of the educational landscape, such as information and promotional campaigns for the UCV educational offer.
UTCN
The support on enrollment offered by UTCN consisted in publishing online information on the admission procedures for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, on the website of all UTCN faculties, as well as in organizing open days at university, the provision of financial support for supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds (orphans) through free admission process, specially allotted places for Roma students.
PORTUGAL
UMa
“Acima das diferenças” – “Beyond and above difference”, coordinated by the Culture Council of the University of Madeira (https://conselhodecultura.uma.pt/) in the scope of the range of further activities to welcome, support and integrate undergraduates at the University of Madeira, in accordance with the national programme to foster students’ access, support and integration in HEIs devised by DGES (Resolution No. 145962022, 21st December) [ https://www.dges.gov.pt/pt/noticia/programa-de-apoio-iniciativas-de-acolhimento-e-integracao-dos-novos-estudantes]
ITALY
UNICORE – UNIVERSITY CORRIDORS FOR REFUGEES
Since 2019 every year the project UNICORE University Corridors for Refugees offers refugee students the opportunity to attend a master’s degree programme at an Italian university. It aims to increase opportunities for refugees currently residing in Kenya, Niger, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe to continue their higher education in Italy.
ITASTRA – SCHOOL OF ITALIAN LANGUAGE FOR FOREIGNERS (UNDERREPRESENTED STUDENTS’ GROUPS) OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PALERMO
ItaStra was established in 2007 with the aim of promoting teaching, training, consulting, and research activities in the field of language inclusion and teaching Italian as a second language for foreign students enrolled at the University of Palermo. Throughout the year ItaStra activates ordinary intensive and semi-intensive courses for incoming foreigners, Erasmus and Marco Polo project students. Currently, ItaStra is a reference hub for the dissemination of the Italian language to foreigners and has become over time a best practice for language inclusion policies addressed to Unaccompanied Foreign Minors (MSNA), trafficked women, and Asylum Seekers. Through collaboration with the Institute for Educational Technologies of the National Research Council (CNR) and with the support of the United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF, ItaStra has produced a digital App Studiare Migrando (Studying migrating) for Unaccompanied Foreign Minors housed in reception facilities who attend Centers for Adult Education (CPIA).
CNUPP – FOSTERING ACCESS TO UNIVERSITY STUDIES TO PERSON DEPRIVED OF FREEDOM (CNUPP NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CONFERENCE OF PRISON CENTERS)
CNUPP National University Conference of Prison Centers is an interinstitutional network promoted by public universities with the Penitentiary Administration to guarantee access to the constitutional right to higher education studies to students detained or subjected to measures depriving them of personal liberty.
FRANCE
UNIV’R project – University corridor to France
Specific topic covered: Scholarships for refugees
The UNIV’R project aims to enabling French-speaking refugees living in a targeted first country of asylum to study a master’s degree (2 years) within a higher education institution in France (mainland). By creating a dedicated path for refugees to access higher education, the initiative favours the enrolment of refugees by providing beneficiaries with easy access to the university system, administrative, social and financial support.
SPAIN
Disability and specific educational needs support service – PIUNE
Specific topic covered: Inclusion of students with disability and specific educational needs
The PIUNE service works to guarantee that every person, independently from their disability or special education needs, can access higher education with equality of opportunity. Students interested in applying for this service can contact the administrative office that will provide all the information. In there, students can get information on the service, receive support during the registration phase, have an interview to assess their needs, be supported by a tutor.
UNIVERSITY OF ZARAGOZA, Spain
CampusRom Association, UNIVERSITY ROMA NETWORK
Campus Rom was created with the intention of generating a network of mutual support among Roma students who are trying to access university or a higher education degree, and also among those who have already gained access. This support network aims for Roma students to successfully achieve their dreams, and to become a reference for the whole Roma population and for society.
Roma men and women wish to be educated and increase their presence in the educational context. The conflict lies in an exclusionary educational system that makes it impossible for minority groups to access education. CampusRom aims to develop a compensatory function so that every day more and more Roma people have the opportunity to acquire post-compulsory higher education studies that makes it possible to improve their situation of invisibility and socio-economic precariousness. In response to this, courses were provided to help them obtain a school-leaving certificate or university entrance exams. School reinforcement, accompaniment, tutoring and the provision of role models have made it easier for more young people to successfully complete compulsory education and to have the support and the necessary tools and skills to access and successfully complete higher education.
GERMANY
Refugees Welcome! – Georg-August-Universitat Gottingen
Specific topic covered: Information centre for refugees
Through the information office, the university offers support since the pre-enrolment phase by providing information on how to apply for the different degree courses. This includes also information on how to validate previous qualifications obtained abroad and opportunities for financial support.
UNITED KINGDOM
UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM
LGBTQ – Inclusivity in the Higher Education Curriculum
People who identify as LGBTQ continue to experience higher levels of discrimination and abuse than the general population in all aspects of their lives, which can have a negative impact on their physical and mental health. In order to address this issue, the guidance on best practice for an LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum was developed.
When it comes to supporting LGBTQ+ students in the process of enrolment, this institution engages in increasing awareness and transformative practices. This means that due attention is paid to avoiding abusive and discriminatory language through basic acknowledgement of gender and sexual diversity, and critical approaches to pedagogy, supporting social engagement and action/inclusive professional practice.