Promoting Inclusion at VSU: Seminar on Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

As part of ongoing efforts to foster a more inclusive academic environment, Vanadzor State University (VSU) recently hosted a seminar on Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion, led by Dr. Lusine Kostandyan, Vice Rector of Academic Affairs.

Dr. Kostandyan’s initiative follows her participation in an intensive training program on soft skills and inclusion policies at TU Dresden, Germany. The training was held under the framework of the DeSIRe project. Participants were introduced to TU Dresden’s comprehensive inclusion strategy, which is deeply rooted in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities—ratified by Germany in 2009. The university’s model emphasizes structural and operational changes that support accessibility, diversity, and equality.

Motivated by this international experience, Dr. Kostandyan organized two key seminars at VSU to share insights and implement best practices:

Seminar for Students — May 19, 2025

Focused on developing core soft skills needed to understand the role of inclusion, diversity and personal responsibility in academic and social settings.

Seminar for Academic and Administrative Staff — May 21, 2025

This session provided strategies for integrating inclusive practices into teaching, student services, and university administration, drawing valuable parallels with the TU Dresden model.

Both seminars featured interactive and hands-on components, including:

• Case analysis: Group discussions of real-life scenarios
• Role-play simulations: Practicing inclusive communication and conflict resolution
• Mind mapping: Facilitating collaborative thinking

These sessions represent a significant step in enhancing awareness and building institutional capacity for inclusion at VSU. Dr. Kostandyan’s leadership in translating international best practices into actionable local strategies reflects a strong commitment to modernizing VSU’s educational framework and creating a more student-centered, inclusive university culture.