University of Lapland is represented at event tackling questions on recognition of previously acquired competencies and removing obstacles for immigrants to access European Higher Education, to be held the beginning of December in Brussels.

The Lisbon Recognition Convention (1997)
and the Bologna Declaration (1999) were notable steps toward academic recognition of
qualifications and competencies acquired elsewhere. However, several substantial
obstacles have remained up to this day, especially for migrants coming from outside
the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). As one of the partners of this
initiative, The UArctic Thematic Network on Arctic
Migration at the University of Lapland, focuses on immigration to
and from the North.

At the
conference “Welcoming Immigrants in European Higher Education”
some of the
questions that will be addressed and discussed together with experts, students, and
graduates from Europe and beyond, civil society organizations, and policymakers
during the event are:

• How can third-country nationals,
  
  including refugees, have optimal opportunities in European higher
  
  education?
• What can
  
  universities, student organizations, policymakers, civil society, and other
  
  stakeholders do to enable inclusive study paths?
• How can competencies and qualifications be assessed and valorized
  
  for access to higher education or to employment activities even when documentary
  
  evidence is lacking?

This event aims to strengthen understanding that sustaining a
diverse society requires the continuous practice of equity and social justice.

– Diversity is our new ordinary – respect
for diversity and keeping diverse relationships are linked with uniformity,
equality, and ethical aspects that reinforce the concept of societal behavior says
Professor Satu Uusiautti, the Vice-Rector for Education at the University of
Lapland.

Recognizing
diverse skills and knowledge of people for strengthening community well-being and
determining social justice necessitates prerequisites and initiatives of Higher
Education Institutes. Such as those to valorize diverse competencies of immigrants
along with international students acquired from elsewhere or outside the EU. Thus,
the recognition of any accomplishment further persuades immigrants to build
sustainable connections within the mainstream community where they
belong.

Dr. Nafisa
Yeasmin, the lead of the Thematic Network on Arctic Migration is the contact person
of MaxiPacEU for Finland.

According to Dr.
Yeasmin, an academic recognition of previously acquired competencies and
qualifications contrive hope among immigrants for sensing belongingness.

– This recognition enhances possibilities
for immigrants in the host society. This is not only the process of identifying
immigrants’ educational culture of their country of origin, but also accepting
someone´s existence and identity in a respective European host society. Thus, the
assessment process of the competencies and qualifications of immigrants has a
sustainable value for building mutual trust and reciprocity between immigrants and
social institutions in the host society.

Rectors from four different European universities are attending
this event in Brussels.

When: Thursday 1st December 2022, 9:30-16:30
CET. 
Where: Brussels (exact location tbd). 
Organised
by: AEGEE-Europe, Thomas More, University of Bari Aldo
Moro, University of
Lapland,
EKKE – Εθνικό Κέντρο Κοινωνικών Ερευνών.

Read the event
program in the file attached.

For more information contact: Dr. Nafisa Yeasmin,
nafisa.yeasmin@ulapland.fi, +358 40 484 4256