Inclusive Universities and Sustainable Development Goals - COSIMENA

The workshop on inclusive universities and the Sustainable Development Goals took place on 31.09.24 and 01.10.24 at the Galala University in Egypt. The event facilitated an exchange of ideas among academics, professionals, NGOs, the private sector, representatives from ministries and universities, funding agencies, and other relevant institutions.

The workshop aims to shed light on the following perspectives:

• Accessibility on campus through architectural design and urban planning
• Admission of students with disabilities to universities
• Reducing barriers in the education system
• Funding programs for inclusive universities
• Inclusive universities and their role in achieving the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals)

On the first day of the workshop, Prof. Gesine Marquardt, Dr. Cornelia Hähne and Dr. Stefanie Dreiack gave presentations on the topics of inclusion at TU Dresden and in Saxony. This was followed by an initial panel discussion at which Carolina Kolodziej explained the position on inclusive teaching at TU Dresden. It became clear that the key aspects, topics and challenges are similar across both countries and institutions, fostering a lively exchange. Further panel discussions are planned for the second day.

The workshop is part of the COSIMENA project and was funded by the DAAD Egypt.

Our delegation:

• Prof. Dr.-Ing. Gesine Marquardt, Commissioners for Students with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses, Professor of the Chair of Social and Health Care Buildings and Design.

• Dr. Cornelia Hähne, Director Directorate 9 – University Culture

• Dr. Stefanie Dreiack, Coordination Office for Equal Opportunities in Saxony

• Dr.-Ing. Julia Kirch, a|sh sander.hofrichter architekten GmbH

• Rana Abdelkader M.Sc., PhD candidate at the Chair of Social and Health Care Buildings and Design

• Carolina Kolodziej M.Sc., Research Associate and PhD candidate at the Chair of Social and Health Care Buildings and Design

Impressions of the workshop