Reduced inequalities 2023

 

MEASURES AGAINST DISCRIMINATION

The admissions policy at Tashkent University of Information Technologies (TUIT) adheres to principles of equality, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring fair treatment for all applicants. The university promotes a culture that values diversity and actively works to eliminate discrimination based on factors such as age, disability, gender identity, race, and socio-economic background.

In line with its commitment, the university implements positive action measures when necessary to increase the representation of under-represented groups. These actions may include targeted recruitment efforts or additional support for students facing particular barriers to education. Positive action is intended to address historical disadvantages or imbalances and is distinct from positive discrimination, which is unlawful in Uzbekistan.

The policy is publicly available and regularly reviewed to ensure transparency and compliance with legal and ethical standards (https://static.tuit.uz/uploads/1/TOX-3UcBYtsTBSWVshBZUhZIB8CSTKSN.pdf).

 

 

The university tracks and measures applications and admissions from underrepresented and potentially underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities, low-income students, nontraditional students, women, disabled students, and newly settled refugee students. This is part of our commitment to ensuring equal opportunities and fostering diversity within the academic environment. The university has systems in place to collect and analyze data on these groups to monitor representation, ensure that policies support inclusivity, and improve access for individuals from diverse backgrounds (https://tuit.uz/equality-diversity-inclusion-policy).

  The University takes planned actions to recruit students, staff, and faculty from underrepresented groups. These actions are part of our broader commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The university implements targeted recruitment strategies to ensure that individuals from diverse backgrounds—such as ethnic minorities, low-income groups, nontraditional students, women, disabled individuals, and others—have access to educational and professional opportunities. These efforts include outreach programs, partnerships with organizations supporting underrepresented groups, scholarships, and tailored recruitment initiatives aimed at enhancing representation within the student body and faculty (https://static.tuit.uz/uploads/1/-YoIvFb207nuO0Yna-7MRUFYna4c65JH.pdf).

 

 

An anti-discrimination policy is in place to ensure a fair and inclusive environment for all staff, students, and visitors. This policy is designed to prevent discrimination based on factors such as age, disability, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, socio-economic background, and trade union membership. It commits to fostering a culture of respect, promoting equality, and addressing any form of prejudice, harassment, or unfair treatment. The policy also includes provisions for proactively supporting underrepresented groups and tackling intersectionality issues where multiple forms of discrimination may intersect. It is regularly reviewed and updated to ensure compliance with evolving legal and social standards (https://tuit.uz/equality-diversity-inclusion-policy).

Diversity and Equality Committee and Office.  A dedicated Primary Civil Union Committee (PCUC) exists to advise on and implement policies related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and human rights across campus. The committee is tasked with promoting an inclusive culture and addressing any diversity-related challenges faced by students and staff. This office collaborates with various departments to ensure that the university’s programs, trainings, and policies are aligned with the principles of equality and human rights. Regular workshops, seminars, and awareness campaigns are organized to promote understanding and tackle issues of discrimination, ensuring an inclusive and supportive environment for all (https://tuit.uz/kasaba-uyushmasi-qomitasi).

Mentoring, Counselling, and Peer Support Programmes.  To support underrepresented groups, the university provides comprehensive mentoring, counselling, and peer support programs. These programs are designed to assist students, staff, and faculty from diverse backgrounds in navigating academic and professional challenges. Mentors and counselors, trained in diversity and inclusion, offer tailored support to individuals facing unique obstacles. Peer support networks are also in place to foster a sense of community, ensuring that all members feel valued and supported. These initiatives are critical in promoting the well-being and success of underrepresented groups on campus.

 https://static.tuit.uz/uploads/1/apuNGLMKe3eikXt65X1AdDYKa9tVvvRt.pdf).

Commitment to Accessibility and Inclusion for students with disabilities:

Accessible facilities for people with disabilities.  Accessible facilities are provided to ensure individuals with disabilities can navigate the campus with ease. All major buildings include wheelchair ramps, designated parking spots, and accessible restrooms. Continuous assessments are carried out to improve the physical accessibility of campus infrastructure, ensuring that it meets the needs of people with mobility challenges (https://tuit.uz/en/inklyuziv-talim-xaritasi).

Support services for people with disabilities. Support services are available to assist students with disabilities. This includes personal assistants and interpreters when necessary, alongside specialized academic support, such as tutors and counselors trained to assist individuals with various disabilities. The Disability Support Services team works closely with students to address both academic and social needs  (https://tuit.uz/en/inclusive-education)

Access schemes for people with disabilities. Access schemes are in place to facilitate the participation of students with disabilities in academic programs. These schemes ensure equal opportunities during admission and throughout the academic journey, offering additional support to overcome any barriers to entry and engagement (https://tuit.uz/en/inkuliz-talim-yordamchisi).

Reasonable accommodation strategy for people with disabilities.  A comprehensive reasonable accommodation strategy has been implemented, which includes adequate funding to support students with disabilities. Adjustments such as extended exam times, adaptive technologies, and accessible learning environments are provided to ensure that all students can fully engage in their studies (https://tuit.uz/en/inkuziv-talim-imkoniyatlari).  

Accessible facilities, targeted support services, and access schemes ensure that students with disabilities are well-supported. The reasonable accommodation policy, supported by necessary funding, ensures an inclusive educational experience. The commitment to accessibility and inclusion continues to be a priority, with ongoing efforts to improve and enhance support systems for students with disabilities.

Within the framework of the European Union Erasmus+ program, a project titled “Developing Services for Individuals with Disabilities – DECIDE” was launched to enhance support services for individuals with disabilities. Professors Angela Repanovici, Daniela Popa, and Claudiu Coman from Transylvania University of Brașov (Romania), along with Professors Sven Riddell and Gerard Cullen from Dresden University of Technology (Germany), visited to contribute to this initiative. Their involvement focuses on sharing expertise and best practices to advance accessible services and promote an inclusive environment for individuals with disabilities in education and beyond (https://t.me/tuituz_official/6063).

 

 

An event on inclusivity and ensuring employment for people with disabilities was held at the Ministry of Digital Technologies (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OKlXreLkuM).

During the event, all the quotas allocated by Tashkent University of Information Technologies (TUIT) for ensuring the employment of individuals with disabilities were filled by people with disabilities. Currently, the university provides all necessary conditions for people with disabilities to carry out their work activities. The main goal of the event was to introduce people with disabilities to vacant job positions in the Ministry of Digital Technologies and affiliated organizations, as well as opportunities in the IT sector, and to improve their social integration.

An anti-harassment policy, created in 2019 and revised in 2023, is integrated within the university’s code of conduct to ensure a safe and respectful environment for students, staff, and faculty. This policy addresses various forms of harassment, aiming to prevent and manage behaviors that could harm the well-being and dignity of individuals. Clear standards are set within the code of conduct, providing mechanisms for reporting and addressing complaints related to harassment. This comprehensive approach ensures that all university community members are protected, with established procedures for handling issues promptly and confidentially (https://static.tuit.uz/uploads/1/1B9pm0nTCXPqG43ZyB4PsSPN7Vd_iFln.pdf).