Expanding Opportunities at Universities
No. 94 (2025-10-15)Author(s)
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Ignacio Sánchez DíazPontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Abstract
Universities play a vital role in shaping society. They contribute not only to the comprehensive education of young people but also to the creation of new knowledge and its transfer to promote community and regional development. They can also serve as spaces that foster inclusion, particularly in areas marked by deep socioeconomic inequalities or by discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or disability. This article seeks to update key concepts linked to opportunity, inclusion, and, above all, the sense of belonging within the university community. Building an inclusive university project requires a holistic approach that integrates public and institutional policies, pedagogical innovation, accessible technology, and a clear social commitment to diversity. The expansion of opportunities and inclusion in higher education should be understood as a multidimensional process that calls for transforming each institution’s structures, practices, and culture. A more inclusive university is, by definition, a stronger one. Ultimately, moving toward more inclusive universities demands political will, firm institutional engagement, and a deep cultural change that explicitly recognizes inclusion and diversity as driving forces of innovation and justice—central to the educational mission. By advancing equity and quality through inclusion policies, universities reinforce their own mission and help build a fairer, more cohesive society.
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