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Facilitated and chaired by: Dr Nidhi Sadana Sabharwal who is the co-convenor of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Network. For more details about the network and its activities, please click here.

Overview

This session will examine the critical yet often overlooked role of faculty members (FMs) in rural-serving state universities and government colleges in advancing equity and social justice within Indian HE. Despite significant expansion of the HE sector in India, first-generation learners from rural and semi-urban communities continue to face substantial barriers to access, primarily due to limited knowledge about HE opportunities, processes, and pathways. The Indian National Education Policy acknowledges these challenges and emphasises the potential of local institutions to address them. Drawing on ongoing international research work, the session will explore how FMs in these institutions can serve as knowledge bridges between HE systems and communities with limited HE exposure. The session will analyse faculty engagement practices and policy frameworks that enable or constrain outreach efforts. The presenters will include faculty members from HE institutions located in various provinces across India who are involved in relevant research. The insights will offer valuable perspectives on the challenges and opportunities in implementing equity-focused outreach initiatives within specific national and regional contexts.

Schedule