Page 18 - RUICHSS 2023 Proceeding

University of Ruhuna ISSN: 2706-0063
Matara, Sri Lanka

they receive equal rights and opportunities in life. This encompasses improving

conditions and implementing measures of positive discrimination, which means
compensating for their less favourable position (e.g., using various aids, assistive

technology, subsidies). It also entails placing them in a better position than others
(e.g., quotas, the right to direct access to faculty, secured parking spaces) and
providing support, empowerment, and adapted education for their development.

People with fewer opportunities (underrepresented, disadvantaged, and vulnerable
groups) exhibit diversity and uniqueness, which is inherently valuable as it fosters
a wide range of views, perspectives, and discourse, leading to innovative and

creative solutions. Emphasising the ethical advantages of encountering diversity,
it raises awareness, reduces prejudice, and cultivates more realistic attitudes within
a genuine and expanded social environment. Encouraging active social action and

embracing diversity in its broadest sense are integral parts of this process (Kiš-
Glavaš, 2023).

To ensure effective inclusive action and policies for all three groups of students
with fewer opportunities, it is essential to have a comprehensive understanding of
who these groups include, what belonging to one of these groups entails, how they

can overlap and to what extent. Authors Panchenko et al. (2022) reference the
Rome Ministerial Communiqué (2020) when differentiating vulnerable,
disadvantaged, and underrepresented groups of students.

According to the Communiqué (2020), underrepresented students are those whose
representation is lower than a comparable group's share in the total population,

considering specific characteristics such as gender, age, nationality, geographic
origin, socioeconomic background, and ethnic minorities. This
underrepresentation can be observed at the time of admission, during studies, or at

graduation. Individuals often exhibit multiple underrepresented characteristics,

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