Study on underrepresented and vulnerable groups of students – contributions to improving the social dimension of higher education in the Republic of Croatia published

As part of the SIDERAL project (Social and International Dimension of Education and Recognition of Acquired Learning, a study on underrepresented and vulnerable groups of students – contributions to improving the social dimension of higher education in the Republic of Croatia has been published.

The study was carried out by the Institute for Social Research in Zagreb (IDIZ), and the editor is dr. sc. Saša Puzić. The study was revieweed by dr. Martina Gaisch from the University of Applied Sciences of Upper Austria and Martin Unger from the Institute for Advanced Studies in Vienna.

The study includes analyses related to the social dimension of higher education in the Republic of Croatia, an overview of previous studies on underrepresented and vulnerable groups of students, an analysis of existing national policies and strategic documents of higher education institutions, as well a report on the student experience in order to identify obstacles arising from their belonging to a vulnerable group.

The study concluded that the existing research and strategic documents as well as policies focus on a relatively small number of vulnerable groups and that measures already in place in the higher education system should be further developed and adapted to other identified groups according to their needs. The study identified aspects of vulnerability and underrepresentation that have not been addressed by existing measures and for which new solutions are proposed. The recommendations in the study refer to proposals to improve institutional policies at the higher education institution level, as well as at the level of national education policies.

Study on underrepresented and vulnerable groups of students – contributions to improving the social dimension of higher education in the Republic of Croatia was adopted by the National Group for the Improvement of the Social Dimension of Higher Education at a session held on May 25th, 2021.

The study is available on the following link.


News | Projekti | Visoko obrazovanje