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University recognised for commitment to race equality

13/11/2020
REC

The University of Wolverhampton has received national recognition for its commitment and approach to improving race equality.

The University has been awarded a Race Equality Charter Bronze Award by Advance HE.

The Race Equality Charter (REC) aims to improve the representation, progression and success of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) staff and students within higher education. The Charter provides a framework through which institutions work to self-reflect on institutional and cultural barriers standing in the way of BAME staff and students.

The University of Wolverhampton and Leeds Trinity University have been awarded the Charter mark in the latest round of the REC announced today (Friday 13 November), taking the total number of award holders to 17.

The University of Wolverhampton has developed a Race Equality Action Plan, which is a combination of actions to improve the staff and student experience.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Geoff Layer, said: “We are delighted the University has achieved the Race Equality Charter Bronze Award.

“We are a University that prides itself on being a champion for equality and diversity and the Race Equality Charter framework, which is evidence based, has enabled the University to be more strategic and targeted in our race equality work.

“Receiving the Award means that we have correctly identified and explained the actions we must take to enhance Race Equality within the University. We will now continue to make the progress necessary to ensure the University of Wolverhampton is more equitable and inclusive for our Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic staff and students.”

The Plan was developed with input from students and staff across the University, including the Equality and Diversity Unit, Human Resources, the Students’ Union and the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Staff Network.

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Ammara Khan, Head of the Race Equality Charter, said, “Advance HE works proactively to support our REC members to submit applications for an award.  As soon as institutions sign up they have three years to submit and we have two award rounds which are in February and July.

“We have seen in a positive increase in HEIs talking about race equality and preparing to sign up to the Charter. We also have a number of institutions signing the principles of the Charter at the point at which they renew their annual membership with us. The next steps now are to ensure those intentions are turned into action so that race equality becomes embedded across the sector to create a positive experience for BAME staff and students alike.”

For further information about the University’s Race Equality Action Plan, visit: https://www.wlv.ac.uk/about-us/corporate-information/equality-and-diversity/race-equality-charter/

Further information 

Date Issued: Friday, 13 November 2020

For more information please contact the Corporate Communications Team.

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