The POWERst project partnership has been closely working with first-generation higher education students and university staff for two years. As a result of this fruitful collaboration, partners have recently finalised a new publication: the "Policy Recommendations on Social Inclusion in Higher Education".
This policy brief gathers several guidelines and best practices for more inclusive approaches and more effective diversity management at schools and universities, addressing students, staff and policymakers.
These recommendations are to serve to help students help themselves and receive support from others before, during, and after their studies.
The chapter on education institutions focuses on what kind of tailor-made services they can offer to first-generation students to overcome institutional, financial, and psychological barriers.
Regarding policymakers, the indications aim at bridging the gap between policy and practice for a more diverse and inclusive higher education.
Complementary materials
Besides these guidelines, the project partners have also produced more resources to enhance higher education inclusiveness. They assessed the educational and social background of students through a survey to identify hotspots in study conditions as well as the needs and demands of first-generation students.
Moreover, university employees and teaching staff have at their disposal a toolbox with information packages to actively support current and prospective first-generation.
