York hosts first-ever Muslim Friendly Universities Conference with goal of improving equality in higher education
Posted on 30 January 2025
The conference brought together EDI (Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion) practitioners, policy experts, and researchers from a range of disciplines to explore the nuanced challenges faced by Muslim students and staff in higher education, all with the goal of improving the experiences of British Muslims in higher education.
One of the key discussions of the conference aimed to explore whether current EDI strategies effectively address these challenges and identified ways to foster more inclusive campuses.
The event was jointly hosted by our valued partner the Aziz Foundation, a charity with the mission of reducing equality gaps and promoting social mobility among British Muslim communities. The University of York have partnered with the Aziz Foundation since 2021 to offer Masters scholarships to British Muslim students.
Dr. Zain Sardar, Programme Manager at the Aziz Foundation, highlighted the significance of the conference:
“This event brought together outstanding researchers and practitioners to advance innovative interventions and practices that foster a genuinely inclusive university environment.”
The Yorkshire Consortium for Equity in Doctoral Education (YCEDE), a collaborative initiative by five Yorkshire universities working to enhance access to doctoral education for UK-based graduates from Minority Ethnic backgrounds, co-hosted the event with Aziz.
Professor Kathryn Arnold, Project Lead, Yorkshire Consortium for Equity in Doctoral
Education said,
‘Universities in Yorkshire are working together to become more welcoming and inclusive for British Muslims. We're committed to creating a better research and teaching environment for staff and students, ensuring that everyone feels valued as part of the wider scholarly community.'
Reflecting on the University of York's commitment to inclusivity, Professor Tracy Lightfoot, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Teaching, Learning, and Students, remarked:
"We are extremely proud to be hosting the first 'Muslim Friendly Universities Conference. Our ambition is to be the University of Opportunity in the UK, where there are no gaps to access, success, award and progression for any student.”
The first Muslim Friendly Universities Conference marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to create more equitable spaces in higher education.
Overall, the conference underscores the University of York’s ambition to be a University of Opportunity for all: where every student can succeed.
For more information the University’s partnership with the Aziz Foundation, please contact Helen Bradley, Corporate and Foundation Philanthropy Manager (Social Sciences) at helen.bradley@york.ac.uk