Inclusion
Inclusion is one of Odisee’s four principles of action: sustainabilty, agility, inclusion and cocreation.
On this portal page you will find all the information about inclusion for the different members of our community, as well as Odisee's view on inclusion.
March 21: International Day Against Racism and Discrimination
In the hallways of each campus today (Thursday March 21), you’ll find panels displaying various statements that, sometimes unintentionally, can also be hurtful. This also constitutes racism. We aim to initiate conversations about racism and discrimination within the Odisee community and collaborate to create a safe living and learning environment for everyone. Do you also consider this important? Leave your name on the panels if you do.
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How do we ensure inclusion for students?
We provide all our students with broad-based basic care and a living and learning environment in which they are welcomed and valued. One way we do this is through inclusive facilities and by working toward our institution-wide framework for curriculum development, which calls for us to weave inclusion into our curricula. Furthermore, there is a range of support for students who need it.
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Inclusive facilities
For all our students, we provide inclusive facilities to maximize their chances of study success. Thus, fewer students need specific measures.
Odibuddy
Odibuddies are students who try to guide and support (new) students as best they can during their college career at Odisee.
Training for faculty and staff
We provide our teachers and staff with a wide range of support materials and training to become stronger in achieving an inclusive living and learning environment.
For example: identifying needs and characteristics of students, teaching with high expectations for all students, language-developing teaching, diversity-responsive teaching (a.o. attention to cultural diversity, gender and sexual diversity, neurodiversity), anti-racism and depolarization in the classroom, designing flexible learning paths, and ensuring inclusive service delivery.
How do we ensure inclusion for prospective students?
Through various initiatives, we aim to make the transition into higher education easier for students.
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Role models
Secondary schools can invite our role models to talk to students. They address questions such as: what barriers did you encounter during your studies and how did you overcome them? How did the transition to higher education feel? What is it like to study with a disability?
93 Academy
The 93 Academy aims to give more young people in Aalst the opportunity for higher education, especially those who, due to circumstances, have a harder time finding their way into and within higher education.
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Entry-level courses
Several programs organize entry-level courses that give students the opportunity to refresh their knowledge of mathematics, chemistry, ICT, French, physics, ... freshen up before the academic year starts.
Inclusion for staff members
We are concerned that every staff member feels welcome and valued at Odisee. Differences between people in terms of origin, age, gender, culture, religion, orientation, physical challenge, ... we consider as an enrichment. We are always looking for colleagues with experiences and competencies that support this.
Welcoming policy
We welcome new employees with a welcoming program.
Customized work
Deborah Vantournhout, HR wellness associate, offers support to colleagues facing barriers both in and beyond the workplace. Employees and teams can also contact her for a customized path to well-being in the workplace.
Training and support for colleagues
The human resources department provides training and support on well-being (burnout and stress, deconnection, resilience, etc.).
Inclusive measures for everyone in the Odisee community
Research on inclusion
At Odisee, we have a wide range of research and services related to inclusion. We offer a lot of expertise that partners can rely on, and we ourselves can use it to further develop our policies and actions related to inclusion.
Telework inclusive organizing
Mediawijs released a tool, based on research from the Centre for Family Studies that allows organizations to prepare their teams for telecommuting where inclusion and well-being are central.
Science Balance
The colleagues from Exploratio developed a grounded methodology to address ethical and social sensitive topics in a (diverse) science classroom.
The reading scan
In the project The Reading Scan 2.0, colleagues from The Language Builders and UCE and their partners a reading scan, a digital tool they use to support elementary school teachers to strengthen their reading instruction.
And also:
The other research projects can be found by entering search terms in the project database such as "inclusion," "diversity," "racism," ...
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Our take on inclusion
Why is inclusion important to us and what do we want to achieve? What positions do we take on inclusion? Find the answers here.