Sakarya University (SAU) demonstrates a strong institutional commitment to inclusivity and equal access for all members of its community, including students, staff, and academics from underrepresented groups. This commitment is reflected in a comprehensive framework that integrates mentoring, counselling, peer-support systems, and accessibility measures into academic and social structures, ensuring equitable participation and representation across all levels of university life. Equality and inclusion principles are embedded within SAU’s sustainability, governance, and research strategies, in alignment with national frameworks on accessibility, gender equality, and social contribution.
SAU’s Social Equality Regulation (2024) formally prohibits discrimination based on gender, disability, language, religion, race, or socioeconomic background, and maintains a zero-tolerance stance toward discrimination and gender-based violence. The regulation mandates that all academic and administrative units establish equality committees and develop mentoring and counselling mechanisms to ensure the protection, support, and empowerment of underrepresented groups.
Within this framework, SAU provides structured academic and psychosocial support services for students with disabilities through Accessible Living and Support Coordination (Engelsiz SAU). Students with disabilities who experience difficulties in taking notes during lectures or accessing course materials are supported through a structured peer-assistance system, facilitated by part-time or volunteer students. Additionally, a professional social worker evaluates the psycho-social needs of students with disabilities, identifies barriers to accessibility, and develops individual accommodation plans to ensure equitable participation in teaching, learning, and assessment processes. To enhance coordination and responsiveness, each academic unit assigns a Barrier-Free Living Representative, who maintains continuous communication with students to ensure that necessary adjustments are implemented promptly and effectively.
The University provides adaptive technologies, psycho-social counselling, peer mentoring, and accessible learning environments, ensuring that students with disabilities can fully participate in academic and social life. These accommodations reflect SAU’s commitment to removing structural barriers and ensuring equitable participation.
SAU’s inclusivity efforts also extend to international and intercultural contexts. The International Student Center and Study@SAU platform support cross-cultural adaptation and access to institutional resources, while the Erasmus+ Programme Coordination Office implements inclusion support measures, providing additional resources for disadvantaged and disabled students seeking international mobility opportunities.
SAU also strengthens peer support and mentoring within academic units through the Departmental Mentorship Programme (2023–2024), which pairs senior students with first-year students to promote academic belonging and integration. The Career Development Coordination Center provides individual career coaching and psychological counselling, as demonstrated by the Career Coaching Workshop held on 06 November 2024 to foster inclusive professional development pathways.
Inclusivity is further embedded in SAU’s community engagement and sustainability mission. TOKAS – Social Contribution & Sustainability Coordination advances collective responsibility through peer-led learning initiatives, including the Zero-Waste Peer Education Program (02 April 2024). Meanwhile, SAÜKAM – Women’s Studies Research and Application Center promotes gender equality, empowerment, and awareness through research, training, and outreach activities.
In 2024, several high-impact institutional initiatives strengthened SAU’s action on equity and inclusion:
Through these interconnected support systems, accessibility mechanisms, mentoring models, and gender- and inclusion-oriented initiatives, SAU has developed a cohesive institutional inclusivity framework aligned with SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities under the THE Impact Rankings. This coordinated work ensures that equity is embedded not only in services, but in the cultural and structural fabric of the institution, enabling all individuals to participate fully and thrive.
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