As a key partner in the HEQUITY Project – Building Higher Education Quality InclUsIon PaThwaYs (Erasmus+ KA220-HED), Sakarya University recently took part in a high-impact study visit held in Padua, Italy, from 17–20 June 2025. The visit was hosted by Popoli Insieme ODV, one of the consortium members dedicated to supporting refugee inclusion and intercultural dialogue in Italy.
The HEQUITY project, co-funded by the European Union, aims to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in European higher education institutions, particularly in relation to the needs of migrant and refugee students. The project brings together universities and NGOs from across Europe—including Belgium, Italy, Latvia, and Turkey—to develop sustainable policies, capacity-building tools, and inclusive education practices.
Objectives and Highlights of the Study Visit
The Padua visit provided a platform for partners to observe best practices in inclusive education and refugee support, strengthen institutional cooperation, and jointly plan upcoming project milestones. The program was rich in both institutional engagement and cultural immersion.
Key highlights included:
Popoli Insieme and the University of Padua delivered presentations on current practices for supporting international and refugee students, including access to housing, legal aid, and psychological services.
Partners visited Xena Association, a youth-focused NGO specializing in non-formal education and inclusion training, as well as Mazza University College, where they met with refugee students benefiting from the Arrupe Project. The project not only supports students academically but also provides cultural and creative outlets—such as a mural project symbolizing peace and integration.
As part of World Refugee Day, participants attended a photographic exhibition and the screening of the documentary film Io Capitano, engaging the wider community in Padua and raising awareness about refugee narratives and inclusive education.
On the final day, the partners held an internal meeting to discuss ongoing project components, including:
Sakarya University’s Role in the HEQUITY Project
Sakarya University plays a leading role in Work Package 2 (WP2), which focuses on increasing institutional awareness and knowledge of DEI policies for migrants. The university is also responsible for the design, development, and management of the HEQUITY project website and contributes to all major dissemination activities.
During the Padua visit, Sakarya University presented an initial draft of the website structure and confirmed the creation of a dedicated subdomain (hequity.sakarya.edu.tr) with institutional hosting support. The website will serve as a central hub for sharing project progress, publications, training materials, and event updates.
Looking Ahead
The HEQUITY project continues to build momentum as partners collaborate across borders to foster inclusive pathways in higher education. The next major event will be the international training hosted by Sakarya University in 2025, aiming to further build capacity among academic staff and policy researchers on the implementation of DEI frameworks.
For more information about the HEQUITY project, please visit the official website: https://hequity.sakarya.edu.tr
