EATHEN - Equitable access to higher education for students with disabilities and students from marginalized groups in Nepal

Scientific coordinator: Prof. Elena Pacetti

Project Team: Federica Zanetti, Valeria Friso, Luca Decembrotto, Lorenza Maluccelli

Key Action: KA2 - Cooperation for Innovation and the Exchange of Good Practices

Action Type: Capacity Building in the field of Higher Education (CBHE)

Applicant: JAMK University of Applied Sciences (Finland)

European Partners: Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna (IT), Masarykova univerzita (CZ).

Nepalese Partners – Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (Nepal), Tribhuvan University (Nepal), Kathmandu University (Nepal), Nepal Open University (Nepal).

N.r Partners: 7

Partners’ Countries: FI, IT, CZ, NP

UNIBO’s role: Partner

Project Duration (in months): 36

Start Date: 15/11/2019

End Date: 14/11/2022

Status: active

Total Budget: 757.356 euro

Unibo Budget: 67.802 euro

Project’s Topics: Modernisation of policies, governance and management of higher education systems – Nepal – Combating poverty and inequality – Access and participation in education – Disadvantaged and marginalized groups

Description: Poverty and inequality are major challenges in Nepal. Low education level of individuals from disadvantaged groups and marginalized groups reflects to inequality. Access to and participation in education is essential requisite for equality and prosperity.

This project develops management and practices in the higher education of Nepal to enhance equity in access to education and support during the academic careers.

Project's outputs are:

1. Developing strategic cooperation between the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST) and the universities in Nepal to increase the support to and commitment of universities to enhance equity in enrolment and during academic careers.
2. Developing organizational structure and new services for potential applicants from the above mentioned groups to enhance capacity building of the managers and teachers producing education services in Nepal, as well as to enhance capacity building of managers working in administration in universities and teachers teaching disabled students and students coming from disadvantaged or marginalized groups. The project will establish five support centers properly equipped with competent staff.
3. Improving learning environment to facilitate students coming from above mentioned groups to start their studies in higher education institutes. There will be easy access environment, learning materials and capacity to support these students in the HEIs.

The immediate impact will be the improved commitment in management of universities to enhance equity in access to and in support during the academic careers in HEIs. In addition, cooperation and contacts between universities and secondary level schools, local authorities and NGOs representing disabled and marginalized groups will be improved.