Responsibility is one of the guiding principles of Xamk’s strategy – we work responsibly for a better tomorrow. This work includes systematic promotion of equality and non-discrimination, in which higher education institutions such as Xamk can really make a difference.

“We are able to promote equality from a place where we can truly have an impact! We are a large community of over 13,300 students and staff members, with the resources and possibilities offered by our education and research and development work at our disposal. This means that we are in a position where we can share knowledge about equality and show an example to others with our equality work,” says Vappu Kunnaala-Hyrkki, Xamk’s Sustainability Coordinator.

We are able to promote equality from a place where we can truly have an impact!

Xamk’s management leads the way

Xamk’s strategy and values form the basis for its equality and non-discrimination work. Our management plays a vital role in making this work possible and setting its goals.

Xamk’s Management Team has approved all of Xamk’s key principles, including the Equality and Non-Discrimination Policy, Ethical Principles, and Safer Space Principles. The Management Team recognised the need for ethical principles as a vital part of Xamk’s work for equality and non-discrimination. Xamk is also committed to promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment, having signed the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs).

Equality is everyone’s responsibility

If we wish to achieve equality, everyone must do their part. This is why we aim for clear and regular communication of our equality goals to our entire community, including training and other information sessions.

When each member of the community is familiar with the university’s values and principles, it is easier to remember and adhere to them in all daily activities. We hope that both our staff and graduates take these principles and adopt them in their own lives and future workplaces, thus promoting the integration of these principles into society at large.

Xamk requires equal and respectful interaction from everyone participating in its events and training.

“We have drafted our own Safer Space Principles, which are available on our intranet and website and advertised widely with stickers on all our campuses. Some of our teachers also go through the principles with their students at the beginning of their courses. We expect every person visiting Xamk and participating in our events to follow them,” says Kunnaala-Hyrkki.

National and International Research and Development Work

Equality and non-discrimination are key themes in not only many of Xamk’s own research and development projects but also in several projects that Xamk participates in, allowing us to promote these values from various perspectives.

One of the most prominent of these projects is the international European University INGENIUM, where higher education institutions from ten countries work closely together to establish a unified European Campus.

One of the key goals of INGENIUM is to build an inclusive university that fosters diversity, equity, and accessibility. Inclusion is emphasised in many of its policies, including its guidelines for organising sustainable events, which Xamk also follows.

Xamk’s own projects related to the topic include GEIN Equal Play, Equal Say, promoting gender equality in sports in Albania and Kosovo; Multipower, promoting diversity as a resource for small and medium-sized enterprises; and Helper, developing sustainable employment paths for immigrants. Xamk is also a co-partner in the Cultural Diversity for Study Paths project, which aims to promote the educational equality of underrepresented groups.

One of Xamk’s strategic goals is internationalisation. We have taken steps to promote this by, for example, finding ways to improve our operations as a multicultural organisation. This includes investing in anti-racism and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training. We have also made plans to further develop our community and culture to ensure we are an inclusive university. Our job advertisements also highlight the fact that we respect and value equality and diversity in our community, encouraging applications from a wide range of backgrounds.