WSEI University is participating in the Empowering Neurodiversity in Academia (ENA) project, which brings together seven universities from different European countries and focuses on creating and developing an inclusive academic environment that takes into account the needs of neurodiverse people – We are creating solutions that can be adapted by other Polish universities – emphasises PhD Monika Baryła-Matejczuk, an expert in the ENA project.
The aim of the ENA project is to support neurodiverse students and students with special educational needs through modern teaching methods, the implementation of universal design principles (UDL) and the development of academic staff competencies. The project aims to introduce lasting systemic changes in higher education and will run until the end of October 2027.
The project is aimed at academic staff and employees of higher education institutions – it will involve training 210 people from 7 partner universities. Students (at least 700 people) will also participate in the project activities, with a particular focus on neurodiversity and special educational needs. In addition, the project is aimed at vocational education and training (VET) institutions and people involved in vocational education.
- Our University's participation in the Empowering Neurodiversity in Academia project is a natural continuation of many years of research and activities aimed at creating conditions in which every student feels comfortable. Over the past few years, we have been working intensively on mutual differences in sensitivity. Now we are expanding this perspective to a broader spectrum of neurodiversity, including autism, ADHD, dyslexia and other neurological differences - explains PhD Monika Baryła-Matejczuk, professor at the WSEI University and expert in the ENA project. She adds: - Poland is just beginning to discuss neurodiversity in higher education. We are pioneers – we are creating solutions that can be adapted by other Polish universities. This is our responsibility as a scientific institution, but also our privilege – we are shaping the future of inclusive education in higher education.
The ENA project is an important step towards modern, open and accessible higher education. Thanks to the involvement of WSEI University, it will be possible to develop solutions that will significantly improve the comfort of studying and working in an academic environment, while setting new standards of inclusiveness in Polish higher education.
