Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Structures

Sakarya University (SAU) demonstrates a fully institutionalized and systematic commitment to diversity, equality, inclusion, and human rights, ensuring equitable access to education, campus life, international mobility, and professional development for all members of its academic community. This commitment was grounded in national legislation—particularly the Higher Education Personnel Law No. 2914—and the Ethical Conduct Principles for Higher Education Institutions, which collectively guarantee non-discrimination, fairness, confidentiality, and respect for human dignity across academic and administrative processes.

The university’s publicly articulated Measures Against Discrimination framework reaffirmed a zero-tolerance stance toward any form of discrimination or harassment based on gender, disability, religion, ethnicity, socioeconomic background, language, or sexual orientation. The policy also included positive-action mechanisms, especially for individuals with disabilities, ensuring equitable participation and representation. These commitments were operationalised through the Ethics Committee, which oversaw compliance, evaluated incidents, and ensured transparent accountability processes.

A set of dedicated institutional units collectively ensured the continuity of SAU’s equity and inclusion governance system:

• The Accessible Life & Support Coordination ensured academic, social, and spatial accessibility for students with disabilities, including counseling, peer mentoring, adaptive technology, and the Barrier-Free Unit Representatives Meeting (06 November 2024) to harmonize accessibility standards across faculties.
• The Women’s Studies Research Centre (SAÜKAM) led gender equality research, training, and violence prevention programs, including large-scale awareness activities and support mechanisms to prevent gender-based violence.
• The Social Contribution & Sustainability Coordination (TOKAS) linked inclusive development, social wellbeing, and sustainability through high-impact community engagement activities.
• The International Office fostered intercultural dialogue and inclusion by supporting international and refugee-background students through advisory activities and cultural engagement meetings.
• The Erasmus+ Programme Coordination Office incorporated the Erasmus+ Inclusion Support Framework, providing additional mobility grants and scoring advantages to disadvantaged students, including students with disabilities.
• The Study@SAU platform ensured transparent, equitable admission pathways for international students, including those from low-income and conflict-affected regions.

These structural commitments translated into high-impact SDG 10 implementation activities throughout 2024, including:

• Collaboration with the Turkish Human Rights and Equality Institution (TİHEK) (06 March 2024), strengthening institutional human rights literacy.
• International Women’s Day Celebration (08 March 2024), promoting campus-wide gender equality awareness.
• Women in Business Micro-Credential Program (25 April 2024), enhancing women’s leadership and labour-market participation.
• Barrier-Free Summer Education Initiative (12 August 2024), improving equal access to academic participation for students with disabilities.
• Workshop on Violence Prevention Strategies (29 November 2024), building safer, gender-sensitive campus environments.
• Careers Beyond Barriers – Disability Employment Event (06 December 2024), connecting students with disabilities to major employers and inclusive recruitment pathways.
• Women Leaders in Management Panel (19 December 2024), strengthening women's representation in decision-making and governance.

Taken together, these institutional policies, governance structures, targeted programs, and evidence-based activities show that in 2024, Sakarya University operated a coherent, legally aligned, and actively implemented equality and inclusion system. SAU’s approach demonstrates that equitable access, diversity, accessibility, gender equality, and intercultural inclusion are not temporary initiatives, but foundational components of the university’s identity and strategy—fully aligned with Reduced Inequalities framework.

Etiketler :