EPICUR EDI Toolkit

Actions – On Inclusion in EPICUR
In Europe, SAR’s network includes over 350 institutions in 26 European countries, including 12 national SAR sections
and 10 major partner networks. By joining the network, members send a powerful message in support of
these goals and advance the global conversation on the importance of academic freedom to higher education
quality and to society. Members have a variety of opportunities to get involved in this important work and engage
with SAR’s global community. https://www.scholarsatrisk.org/scholars-at-risk-europe/
AUTh decided in 2018 to become a member of the Scholars at Risk Network, the first such Greek university
partner of SAR. In 2019, AUTh joined forces with 9 other partners in Europe in the Inspireurope project. In June
2021, Greek higher education institutions established a Scholars at Risk Greece section to coordinate activities
across Greece in support of scholars and to promote academic freedom, with a public launch planned for October
2021. Among other initiatives, AUTH prepared the Researchers at Risk Welcome Guide to Aristotle University
of Thessaloniki where important information on the Aristotle University, the city of Thessaloniki, and also all
the information needed for the first steps to arrival and settling down, visa, accommodation, health and family
issues are given.
Student Support Office
Committed to supporting the development of a barrier-free learning environment and to providing students
with disabilities with equal opportunities in their academic pursuits, AUTH provides care and support to students
from Vulnerable Social Groups in order to enhance their participation in academic activities and life within
the University through the Student Support Office. Among others, the Student Support Office records the
needs of students with disabilities, coordinates their transfer inside and outside the university, assist students
with the problems they might face, facilitate their attending in classes, their participation in the exams or their
communication with teaching staff, informs them about educational activities taking place within the University,
facilitates their access to audiovisual or other educational materials suitable for them or assist them with any
other need that could emerge during their studies. The student support office organizes a network of student
volunteers, offers psychological support as well as financial assistance and social care through “student gardening”.
The purpose of this action is to create an environment that promotes ecology, social contact, creative
activity and contributes to the health and mental well-being of the participants.
Also, a network of Academic Advisors, teaching staff members from each school of AUTH, has been activated in
order to provide substantial support to students belonging to the sensitive social groups (EKO). The purpose of
this action is to offer responsible counseling to undergraduate students belonging to sensitive social groups as
well as to strengthen personal communication between students and teachers.
Students of sensitive social groups can contact him/her for specific issues related to their studies. The Academic
Advisor of each department is always available to support and manage any academic or personal difficulty by
providing the student with counseling support and guidance, while ensuring that any issues that arise during
his / her studies at the University are resolved.
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