Qualification of education specialists for 'inclusive education' in Saxony - a contribution to the development of an inclusion-sensitive university

The project "Qualification of Education and Inclusion Officers in Saxony" enables and trains people with disabilities as knowledge mediators for the organisation of teaching and research at universities

The focus of the qualification measure is not the impairment of the prospective lecturers, but their qualification path and the associated opportunity to use, develop and utilise individual potential at universities without hindrance.

Within the framework of the education and inclusion officers work with students, teachers, specialists and managers, they not only demonstrate in an exemplary manner how inclusion can succeed in practice, but also live it as a matter of course in the learning and teaching process. This actively shaped reality is carried over into all areas of the university. 

The project deliberately opens up access to an institution that can be described as a place of education where the unquestioned tradition of exclusion, through produced educational injustices, has always taken place.

Prejudices and many other barriers can be broken down through the project. A broader awareness at the university of prevailing exclusionary conditions that are perceived as "natural" should emerge. These are caused, among other things, by structurally constructed inequality and institutional discrimination. Against this broader horizon of knowledge, they can be made visible, analysed and overcome.

In this sense, the project can contribute to the full and effective participation of all university members because, among other things, it will significantly change and positively shape preconceptions and perspectives on diversity.

The project can be understood as applied research that examines the described mechanisms of equal opportunity or opportunity-impeding access to education in higher education contexts in order to be able to establish an inclusive structure, culture and practice in academic education and training. The qualification period for education and inclusion officers is set at 3 years. This is a modular full-time training at the university.

The qualification enables comprehensive educational work. It will be the task of the university to implement the expertise of the education and inclusion officers permanently and reliably in seminars. The range of courses will generally be understood as a high-quality supplement to subject-specific and theoretically oriented courses with a focus on inclusion.

The qualification of the education and inclusion advisors began in February 2019 at the TUD Dresden. A project extension until September 2027 has been approved.

All details about the project can be found at www.tu-dresden.de/gsw/quabis, , including an overview of teaching and research.