Abertay gains equality charter award

ABERTAY University has become the first university in Scotland to achieve a bronze race equality charter award.

It is only the ninth institution in the United Kingdom to achieve the award from the Equality Challenge Unit (ECU).

Claire Herbert, ECU’s race equality charter manager, said: “ECU has always been committed to ensuring that the race equality charter is achievable by any university, regardless of its geographic location or context.

“Abertay’s success demonstrates that addressing racial inequalities in the representation, progression and success of minority ethnic staff and students should be a priority for higher education across the UK.”

She added: “Holding a bronze award signals that a university has conducted a thorough analysis of racial inequalities with involvement from minority ethnic staff and students, and, vitally, that it has senior man- agement commitment to advancing race equality through its action plan.”

ECU’s race equality charter was launched in January this year following a two-year trial.

There are currently 27 universities that have signed up to the charter’s five guiding principles.