BGU | PRESIDENT'S REPORT 2023

Prof. SARAB QUEDER ABU-RABIA

VICE PRESIDENT FOR DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

WHAT WE ACCOMPLISHED IN 2022: Admissions: BGU has adopted an alternative admission process for students of Ethiopian origin with the aim of increasing representation. First-Generation Women Doctoral Students: BGU has developed a program to support first-generation women doctoral students in and outside of the classroom, including a series of workshops to help them adjust to academia. The goal is to increase their chances of completing their degrees and securing academic appointments. Evaluating Diversity: The University produced its first ever diversity report, which revealed that many populations are still underrepresented on campus. To address this, we are developing alternative acceptance tracks, mainly for first generation students. Likewise, we conducted a survey on experiences of racism and discrimination on campus. We learned that students want and are willing to participate in meetings to help bridge divides and build a more shared campus life. Both Jews and Arabs said that relations became more polarized following security incidents and expressed willingness to connect through institutional activities. Education for Inclusion: Professional development workshops and lectures were held for academic staff on designing inclusive classes. Similarly, departmental mentors were selected and trained to identify students

The Office of the Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion was created in 2021. The Office is guided by the principle that the University is not only responsible for producing academic knowledge and disseminating it to the world, but also for shaping the values of the graduates that we produce. Our goal is to shape students who are committed to social justice and gender equity and who are cognizant of the struggle against injustice, racism and discrimination. THE OFFICE IS GUIDED BY THE PRINCIPLE THAT THE UNIVERSITY IS NOT ONLY RESPONSIBLE FOR PRODUCING ACADEMIC KNOWLEDGE AND DISSEMINATING IT TO THE WORLD, BUT ALSO FOR SHAPING THE VALUES OF THE GRADUATES THAT WE PRODUCE Improving diversity on campus means uniting diverse groups, such as Arabs and Jews, and creating opportunities for partnership and collaborations between them. It means developing opportunities for those who come from disadvantaged backgrounds and education systems to succeed in higher education. It also means forging an inclusive institutional climate that celebrates diversity of language, culture and narrative and fosters the potential to excel by creating a sense of belonging on campus. Studies have shown that feelings of belonging improve the achievements of both male and female students and faculty on college campuses.

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Ben-Gurion University of the Negev