Page 22 - RUICHSS 2023 Proceeding

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

A university ethos that prioritises students' sense of belonging is based on respect,

integrity, and equity, acknowledging the inherent value and contribution of each
student. This ethos allows every individual to find a sense of home at their

institution (Gregersen-Hermans et al., 2021). But how to promote equality,
fairness, and inclusion in higher education?

According to UNESCO (2017), fostering inclusive and equitable education

necessitates acknowledging that students' challenges stem from various aspects of
the education system itself. These aspects include the current organisation of
education systems, the types of instruction provided, the learning environment, and

the approach to supporting and assessing student progress. Transforming this
understanding into tangible reforms is crucial, with the perspective that individual
differences should not be viewed as problems requiring fixing but rather as

opportunities to democratise and enrich learning. Embracing differences can act as
a catalyst for innovations that benefit all learners, irrespective of their personal
characteristics and circumstances (UNESCO, 2017).

The Academic Cooperation Association (ACA, 2023) is an organisation dedicated
to promoting and funding the internationalisation of higher education. In early

2021, ACA placed significant emphasis on understanding and supporting inclusion
in international higher education, particularly within the context of Europe. To
accomplish this goal, they decided to share insights along the way with the help of

experts in the field of inclusion through an ACA Think Piece series titled "Inclusion
in International Higher Education: European Perspectives & Insights."

While this series of professional papers specifically addresses inclusion in higher
education in the context of international cooperation, the reflections from the
experts have broader applicability. Many of the insights gleaned from this series

can be relevant and applicable to the context of any higher education institution or

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