Utrecht University: Top 3 nominees for the Diversity & Inclusion Award 2021
Since 2019, the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion programme has annually handed out the Diversity & Inclusion Award to draw attention to and express appreciation for the valuable initiatives of employees and students that contribute to a more diverse and inclusive university.
This year, the Committee selected the top 3 nominees from nine submissions: Programme Opmaat/Donya Yassine, Louise Autar and Team Onderwijsadvies & Training. All three have a chance of winning €2,500, which can be used to further promote diversity within the university.
Top 3 nominees
Programma Opmaat external linkis an innovative and important project in which first generation students are helped by other students on their way in the university environment. This programme is a pilot within the Faculty of Social Sciences and has aroused much enthusiasm among students (coaches/buddies). Special praise goes to project leader Donya Yassine external link. Donya has been involved in the programme from the beginning and has played an important role in the online translation of the programme, among other things.
Louise Autar external linkis a teacher in the departments of Language & Culture Studies, Liberal Arts & Sciences and Gender Studies at Utrecht University. In addition to her work, she works in several areas for diversity and inclusion, such as the Un/Divided conference, the Space to talk about race (STAR) platform and the #ITooamUU campaign. Much praise goes to Louise’s attention for colleagues and students of colour, for her activities focused on diversity, but especially on inclusion, which she is working on inside and outside the university.
Team Onderwijsadvies & Training external link, in cooperation with Stichting Taal Doet Meer external link, voluntarily contributes with their expertise to, among other things, training volunteers to help pupils with a migrant background in primary and secondary education in Utrecht and to create equal educational opportunities. They also play a role in the establishment of the city network Taal & Huiswerk external link, helping children whose parents are unable or insufficiently able to provide home schooling. This network came into being during the first lockdown in spring 2020 and will probably take on a more structural role.
Diversity & Inclusion Award Ceremony
The Diversity & Inclusion Award 2021 will be presented by Diversity Dean, Janneke Plantenga, on Wednesday 31 March 2021, 15:30 – 16:00. This year, the Award Ceremony takes place online, and is open to everyone via Teams.