Engaging university community in appreciating and understanding diversity, equity and inclusion

This presentation will share a suite of strategies and means in engaging students, administrative staff and academics in appreciating and understanding diversity, equity and inclusion on university campuses. The increasing number of students with special educational needs (SEN) in the higher education represents an escalating demand on teaching and learning support and the related services on the campus. Students with SEN experience university life differently and require additional resources as compared to other non-SEN students. However, there is a lack of understanding and education of the university community on the characteristics of students with special educational needs. Hence, there is an urgent need for the institutions to promote the awareness of equal opportunities, diversity, the nature of SEN and the needs of students with SEN so that all students can learn equitably with their peers and develop collaborative relationship without stigmatisation. A case study in Hong Kong will be shared and discussed, with a focus on a series of programmes on campus to foster inclusive campus culture and engage students to enhance their awareness and knowledge. Three main categories of the programmes: 1) Peer-to-peer support via a student ambassador scheme, 2) Awareness building campaign, and 3) SEN-related experiential learning programmes.
To build up an inclusive campus and encourage peer support, a student ambassador scheme for diversity and inclusion has been launched to provide a unique opportunity for students to take an active role on campus to organise activities to promote diversity, cultivate an inclusive, positive and supporting campus, and provide peer support to students with SEN. To reach out to students with a positive and inclusive campus culture, we have held the Diversity and Inclusion Week and SEN Awareness Week with hands-on activities and interactive booth games for raising their awareness towards the needs of students with SEN, and inclusive and equitable values and practices within the campus. Besides, a series of SEN-related experiential learning programmes (e.g., Physical and Visual Disability Experiential Workshop, Dyslexia Experiential Game Booth, SEN Online Quiz Competition, etc.) have been organised for students to enhance their awareness and understanding towards students with SEN, diversity and inclusion, and self-experience of the difficulties faced by students with SEN throughout such programme.