“Diversity in the Classroom” for first-year students of BUITEMS

Prof. Dr. Bilal Sarwar, Director, Quality Enhancement & Accreditation (QE&A) organized an interactive awareness session titled “Diversity in the Classroom” for first-year students of BUITEMS. The session featured Prof. Dr. Jawad Syed, a distinguished academic from the Suleman Dawood School of Business, Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), as the guest speaker.

Purpose and Objectives
This session was designed as part of BUITEMS’ ongoing commitment to inclusive education and aimed to:
• Deepen students’ understanding of diversity and inclusion in higher education.
• Introduce theoretical frameworks that underpin inclusive and equitable teaching practices.
• Enable reflection on real-life experiences that shape classroom dynamics.
• Encourage mutual respect and cultural sensitivity among students from varied backgrounds.

Session Highlights
Prof. Dr. Jawad Syed commenced the session by unpacking the core concept of diversity, explaining that it refers to the presence of differences in any setting—differences that may relate to:
• Gender
• Ethnicity and language
• Religion and sectarian identity
• Socioeconomic background
• Physical or learning disabilities

He emphasized that inclusion is more than just representation; it involves actively ensuring that every individual feels respected, supported, and equally valued—regardless of their background.

Engaging Students through Reflection
Participants were invited to reflect on two key questions:
1. What is the single major challenge you have faced in managing gender, ethnic, religious/sectarian, or social class diversity in the classroom?
2. What tips or best practices can promote inclusivity in academic environments?

These questions sparked meaningful dialogue among students, helping them relate abstract concepts to their lived experiences and classroom realities.

Common Challenges Identified
Students and faculty collectively identified several recurring challenges that impact inclusivity in academic settings:
• Language Barriers: Difficulties in comprehension and expression among students from diverse linguistic backgrounds.
• Group Segregation: A tendency to form groups along ethnic or cultural lines during classwork and co-curricular activities.
• Stereotyping and Bias: The presence of preconceived notions—both implicit and explicit—that hinder open engagement.
• Fear of Judgment: Anxiety related to speaking out, particularly among underrepresented or marginalized students.

Gender-Specific Observations:
• Unequal opportunities to speak or present ideas in class.
• Cultural discomfort surrounding mixed-gender interactions.
• Family or community-imposed limitations on female students’ academic and public participation.
• Hesitation among some students to appear in photographs or video recordings due to social or familial restrictions.

Conclusion and Key Takeaways
In concluding the session, Prof. Dr. Jawad Syed highlighted practical strategies to create inclusive classroom environments:
• Cultivating self-awareness and cultural empathy among faculty and students.
• Challenging stereotypes and fostering critical thinking.
• Designing classroom activities that promote equity of voice and active participation for all students.
• Encouraging mutual respect across differences and promoting a culture of dialogue and understanding.

This session marked a valuable step in introducing first-year students to the importance of diversity and inclusion within academic spaces. It reinforced the shared responsibility of both educators and learners in shaping an environment that celebrates pluralism and provides equitable learning opportunities for all.