Since the outbreak of the so-called “refugee crisis” in 2015, European Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have made considerable efforts to facilitate access for newcomers, through a constellation of actions in different domains: financial support, admission procedures, recognition of qualifications, language and psychological support, to mention a few. Most of these initiatives took a bottom-up approach, as an immediate and emergency response to a crisis situation. Although they have undoubtedly contributed to building more inclusive HEIs and connecting universities with civil society actors, few of them have been underpinned by a central strategic approach and planning, paving the way for a holistic and sustainable institutional response. Much remains to be done for universities to fully embrace a 360-degree approach to the phenomenon of migration, that goes beyond immediate initiatives and builds inclusive HEIs and societies, taking responsibility for the important societal challenges facing European countries. UNI(di)VERSITY aims to develop the social responsibility of European HEIs in the field of migration, with a view to promoting the social inclusion of migrants and refugees, through: - A systematic mapping and analysis of European HEIs’ approaches to migration as part of their social responsibility and diversity approaches; - An awareness campaign to encourage a nuanced and evidence-based debate about migration and diversity amongst the academic community and the public; - The design and validation of a set of instruments to support university staff and services in their efforts to integrate issues related to migration and diversity in different areas, grounded in a 360-degree approach; - A Staff Training intervention aimed at empowering academic and administrative staff to develop sustainable strategies for integrating migration issues at all levels of institutional activities; - The release of a comprehensive Strategic Framework aimed at providing a multicriteria decision-making methodology for socially responsible universities in the era of migration. The 2-year project envisages four intellectual outputs that represent an innovative blend of different activities: 1) an analytical atlas of HEIs’ actions and strategies in the field of migration; 2) an awareness campaign entitled #uni4diversity; 3) a toolkit for university staff and services; 4) a strategic framework for socially responsible universities in the era of migration. The project intervention will increase knowledge, inspire commitment, sensitise, and empower at least five hundred European HEIs leaders, managers and staff from different structures (governance bodies, third mission office, international relations office, student services, faculty and research department leaders) in relation to migration issues, to act as agents of change in their own institutions and academic community, and throughout Europe.
UNI(di)VERSITY aimed to support EU HEIs to uphold their role towards building inclusive societies in the era of migration. For this purpose, the following objectives were pursued: Obj. 1 - Increase knowledge about outstanding and transferable HEIs’ strategies and approaches towards diversity and inclusion in relation to migration Obj. 2 - Inspire commitment and support discussion on HEIs’ role as key actors in promoting inclusion and cultural diversity, and addressing related societal challenges Obj. 3 - Raise awareness amongst the European academic community concerning the social responsibility of HEIs on inclusion in relation to the phenomenon of migration Obj. 4 - Empower HEIs in the development of 360-degree institutional strategies in this domain that cover the full range of universities’ activities (research, teaching, administration, “third mission”) Obj. 5 - Mainstream related practices and achievements in a comprehensive framework for action that would support HEIs’ strategic planning in this domain across Europe
European HEIs, as part of their third mission, play a decisive role in providing solutions to societal challenges, with a specific reference to issues related to increasingly diverse societies affected in many ways by human mobility flows. However, EU HEIs’ efforts in the field of migration are still limited in volume and scope, and accessing and completing HE remains a path full of obstacles for migrant and refugee students. Over the past years, in particular with the outbreak of the so-called “refugee crisis” in 2015, EU HEIs have made considerable efforts to facilitate access for refugees, through a constellation of actions in different domains (e.g. financial support, admission procedures, recognition of qualifications, language and psychological support). Most of these initiatives took a bottom-up approach, as an emergency response to a crisis situation. Although they have undoubtedly contributed to building more inclusive HEIs and connecting universities with civil society actors, a more central strategic approach is strongly needed in order to pave the way for a holistic institutional response.