Leadership, public policy and inclusion in universities: Strategic imperatives

Abstract

Globally, university education faces increasing demands to meet academic quality standards while addressing the complex needs of disadvantaged students, whose effective participation in university life requires equity and inclusion policies. Merely opening the doors to underprivileged students is not enough; true inclusion requires that these students remain in the system and achieve their academic goals in a timely manner, which is only possible through effective public and institutional policy support. Public policies play a key role, but the leadership of institutions is essential to drive and sustain strategic actions promoting inclusion.