As of September 1, the Senior Fellows will be working for several years on extensive educational innovation within their faculty and/or university-wide and will deepen their educational knowledge during the programme. Gönül submitted a proposal to not only increase diversity in the study programme but also create a more inclusive and welcoming environment.

Gönül Dilaver wants to develop tools and strategies that make education truly inclusive and that promote a learning climate that adapts to the diversity of students. She elaborates, ‘Diversity and Inclusion in education will enrich all students. Inclusive education is important because it prepares students for a society in which diversity is a fact. My goal is to increase knowledge and expertise and integrate it into our education and our educational climate. This will lead to a number of concrete educational innovations that contribute measurably to more inclusion and diversity among students, teachers, and supervisors of internships. In order to create an inclusive atmosphere, it is important that all those involved are aware of the importance of diversity, of each other, and of the culture of our organisation. It concerns both written and unwritten rules. I am convinced that it will benefit and emancipate UMC Utrecht’.

The committee recommends Gönül for her demonstrated leadership and innovation in education, her clear vision on education and her motivation to create a diverse and inclusive learning environment for students. ‘Her enthusiasm is infectious and will inspire colleagues to work with her’.

Senior Fellow Programme

The Senior Fellow Programme aims to strengthen educational leadership within Utrecht University by expanding the number of professors with an emphasis on education. The programme contributes to the visible appreciation for education and teaching, and highlights the fact that career steps are possible in education. The goal of the programme is to not only stimulate educational innovation but also contribute to the quality of education at Utrecht University. In 2017, the programme, once known as the Teaching Fellow Programme, was renewed and renamed the Senior Fellow Programme. Three new appointments have been recently made to total ten Senior Fellows. New candidates will be nominated by the Dean. The Executive Board is advised by an internationally composed selection committee for the appointment of the Senior Fellows. After successful completion of the Senior Fellow Programme, a nomination for a chair with emphasis on education follows.

For more information about the Senior Fellow Programme and the other fellows, please visit the website of the Centre for Academic Teaching.

Source: UU.nl