UCLan Cyprus: Public Workshop on Equality, Diversion and Inclusion (EDI) in Higher Education in Cyprus organised by UCLan Cyprus in cooperation with the British Council in Cyprus

The University of Central Lancashire Cyprus (UCLan Cyprus), and the British Council in Cyprus were pleased to co-organise a Public Workshop entitled ‘EDI in Higher Education in Cyprus’ at the UCLan Cyprus campus, on 2nd July 2024. The Workshop was addressed to EDI leadership/officers at higher education institutions and research institutes in the Republic of Cyprus. The event was addressed by the Second Secretary Political of the British High Commission in Cyprus, Mr. Simon Adams, by the Director of the British Council in Cyprus, Mrs Anastasia Andritsou, by Officer of the Gender Equality Commissioner Office, Mrs Niovi Georgiade who spoke on behalf of the Commissioner for Gender Equality of the Republic of Cyprus, Ms Josie Christodoulou, whose speech is available here as well as by the Chair of the Research and Innovation Committee of UCLan Cyprus, Prof. Stéphanie Laulhé Shaelou.

The participants to the event had the opportunity to engage with Dr. Charlotte Delaney, EDI and Communities Director at UCLan UK in Preston who visited on the occasion as the event’s main speaker. The EDI leadership of UCLan Cyprus, Co-Chairs and/or members of the University’s EDI Committee (EDIC) were also among the guests, as well as participants from other institutions in the Republic of Cyprus. Following the welcome and opening addresses and during the workshop, our main speaker focussed on how to embed EDI in higher education. In particular, Dr. Delaney provided an overview of key areas to consider when developing EDI strategies and programmes of work. Drawing on recent examples from the University of Central Lancashire’s Race Equality Charter self-assessment and wider EDI chartermarks, the workshop looked at how EDI-related chartermarks, such as Athena Swan, can be used as a catalyst for sustainable change. The workshop concluded with a session where feedback was collected from the participants on current needs and future plans.

This Workshop was of high relevance to key persons in the field of higher education and research in Cyprus, as they may be acquainted with British education, its labels under Advance HE and other European initiatives in the field. As UCLan Cyprus is currently holding the Presidency of the Rectors’ Council in Cyprus, UCLan Cyprus Rector Prof. Irene Polycarpou had placed this event under her auspices and addressed the participants with respect to EDI progress in higher education in Cyprus.

Source: UCLan Cyprus | Latest News (https://shorturl.at/5lh6l)