Academic Centrehttps://doi.org/10.22364/htqe.2023.31 | 387-400 | PDF
Investigating Students’ Perception of a Multicultural and Democratic University and Its Values
Antra Roskosa, Inese Kocote
Riga Technical University, Latvia
Abstract. The increasing importance of multiculturalism in education has been caused by numerous challenges – social, economic as well as political that modern universities encounter. Therefore, the values of democracy – openness, freedom of thinking, tolerance, equality, and inclusion are crucial. The research conducted at Riga Technical University (RTU) scrutinizes the current situation regarding the existing students’ attitudes. The research aimed to investigate students’ perceptions of a multicultural and democratic university and its values. One hundred and five students of RTU both foreign and local ones participated in the research. There were ten statements included in the questionnaire. They can be split into three groups: 1) values of democracy at the university; 2) intercultural communication as a challenge; 3) the role of the university (students/ the teaching staff/ administration) to form values of democracy. The main conclusion of the research is as follows – the majority of students – both local and foreign ones consider the values of democracy as present ones at their university. However, rather many students are not certain or even deny that. Students’ views on multiculturalism and democracy at university are quite sensitive and can be controversial. This fact is of high importance for universities to be taken into account to promote the democratic processes there.
Keywords: a multicultural university, democratic values, intercultural communication, multiculturalism, colorblindness, inclusion
In: Human, Technologies and Quality of Education, 2023. Proceedings of Scientific Papers = Cilvēks, tehnoloģijas un izglītības kvalitāte, 2023. Rakstu krājums
Riga, University of Latvia, 2023. 796 p. Ed. L. Daniela
https://doi.org/10.22364/htqe.2023
ISBN 978-9934-36-116-6