Universities told to 'decolonise' curriculum to promote diversity

UNIVERSITIES in the UK have been asked to "decolonise" their curriculum so that it appeals to black and Asian students.

Universities UK, which represents vice-Chancellors, commissioned a review to find how institutions can ensure more students from black, Asian and minority ethnic groups can attain top degrees.

Baroness Valerie Amos, who led UUK’s review, said that many BAME students do not feel a “sense of belonging” at university.

“Part of that was about not seeing their history [and] their experiences reflected in the content of the courses that are being taught,” she told The Daily Telegraph.

Reading materials should be scrutinised to ensure there is no racial bias, said Baroness Amos.

“There are things like who is on the reading lists, how much are you enabling a critique of different approaches to subjects, who is being recognised as being someone who can make a valuable contribution on this? That applies as much to science subjects as much as it does to arts and humanities subjects,” she said.

“Scientists come from all over the world, they don’t just come from the UK, the United States and other countries in Europe. It is really just about broadening our perspectives.”

In the past decade, the number of BAME undergraduate students has increased by more than 50 per cent. But in 2017, just 57 per cent of black students achieved a first or a 2:1 compared to 71 per cent of Asian and 81 per cent of white students.

Amos said students might also be put off by a lack of ethnic minority professors.

Chris Millward, director for fair access and participation at the OfS, said the report was "welcome and timely".

"The OfS has set a target for the higher education sector to eliminate the unexplained gap in degree outcomes between white and black students by 2024-25." he was quoted as saying by the BBC.

"In order to do this, universities must take urgent action to understand what is causing these differences, and reduce the gaps so that all students - whatever their background - are given every opportunity to reap the rewards that higher education can bring."