Alihan Uzun: 'Diversity makes us rich and creates new perspectives.'
Who are the members of the Advisory Committee Diverse and Inclusive Higher Education and Research and what is their role? This time we would like to introduce you to Alihan Uzun (25). Alihan is a master's student in Technical Public Administration at TU Delft, a graphic designer and spokesperson for the Muslim Students Association of the Netherlands, the national umbrella association of 18 Islamic student associations.
Find your way as a first-generation student
Alihan: ‘Within The Advisory Committee Diverse and Inclusive Higher Education and Research, I am busy with everything about first-generation students and students with a Muslim background. I also follow current events and know what initiatives are or are not running in the area of diversity and inclusion.
First-generation students often do not know their way in education well and receive less help. For students with Muslim backgrounds, the problem is that they are not seen enough. Too often, there is no proper quiet room available to pray or unwind. From the Muslim Students Association Netherlands, together with the National Student Union, we offered a manifesto to the government for quiet rooms at all educational institutions.'
Sharing insights and experiences
'I am also a first-generation student and a Muslim, so I know very well what is going on. In the Advisory Committee Diverse and Inclusive Higher Education and Research I can share my experiences about this. I am active in Muslim student associations and have built up a large constituency. From this I have important insights that I can share and represent this in the Advisory Committee Diverse and Inclusive Higher Education and Research.
In my role as spokesperson at the Muslim Students Association Netherlands, I am regularly in conversation with members of Parliament, the Director General and the Minister.’
Emancipation of minority groups
'It is important to discuss with different kind of people, because unknown makes unloved. So we can keep putting the different topics on the agenda. Especially now it is in the common cause that everyone can develop well.
I am an optimist and I try to convince people that emancipation of minority groups is of great importance. Officials, administrators and also the Minister of Education, Culture and Science are sympathetic and empathetic for this. There are more quiet spaces and fortunately our story is being heard more and more.
The enormous diversity of different cultures, languages, dishes, religions makes The Netherlands very rich. This fusion actually creates many wonderful new perspectives and is good for innovation.'
National Action Plan for Diversity and Inclusion
‘I would like to encourage the policy makers of the National Action Plan for Diverse and Inclusive Higher Education to see the Action Plan as something to hold on in the coming period. Personally, I want to keep the needs of first-generation students and the need for inclusive quiet spaces in schools on the agenda.
What inspires me most is that the Advisory Committee Diverse and Inclusive Higher Education and Research itself is enormously diverse and inclusive. I have knowledgeable colleagues who are experts in their own fields, and that makes me listen more than speak.’
