10. Reduced Inequalities

SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities aims to reduce inequality within and among countries by promoting social, economic, and political inclusion for all. It seeks to ensure equal access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, empowering disadvantaged and marginalized groups to fully participate in society. By addressing discrimination based on age, sex, disability, ethnicity, origin, or other status, SDG 10 works to reduce social, economic, and political disparities at local, national, and global levels, contributing to a more just and equitable world.

POLICIES AND STRATEGIES FOR IMPLEMENTING SDG 10

Introduction: Framing Equality in Sustainability

Equality underpins every aspect of sustainability. Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals requires attention to disadvantage in all its forms. While SDG 5 focuses on gender equality, SDG 10 addresses the intersectionality of disadvantage, encompassing economic, social, cultural, health-related, and international inequalities. Disadvantaged groups are more likely to be excluded from opportunities and suffer disproportionately from global challenges, including climate change and economic volatility. At UAIC, policies aim to address economic, health, and international inequalities by ensuring access, inclusion, and support across all academic levels, promoting both equity and excellence in higher education.

Legal Framework and Core Principles

“Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iași (UAIC) operates under Romanian Education Law and complies with the regulations of the European Higher Education Area (SEIS). The University Charter, revised in 2024, ensures alignment with both national and European legislation, providing a framework that governs the rights, responsibilities, and ethical conduct of all university members.

UAIC’s policies are guided by principles that foster equity, inclusion, and academic excellence:

• University autonomy and academic freedom, enabling independent management and decision-making in research, teaching, and governance.
• Free and equal access to educational programs, research opportunities, cultural activities, financial resources, material resources, and auxiliary services without discrimination based on sex, age, race, ethnicity, religion, or political affiliation.
• Promotion of national and international cooperation in research and higher education initiatives.
• Adherence to ethical standards, ensuring representativeness and proportionality in all governance structures.
• Decision-making based on consultation with members of the university community.
• Independence from religious, ideological, doctrinal, or political influence, safeguarding impartiality in academic and administrative affairs.

The University is committed to public responsibility, including:

• Compliance with legislation and national and European policies in research and education.
• Application of regulations regarding quality assurance and institutional evaluation.
• Transparency in all decisions and activities.
• Efficient management of human, financial, and material resources.
• Respect for the rights and freedoms of all members of the university community.

Policies for Reducing Inequalities

UAIC’s strategies for reducing inequalities are aligned with SDG 10 and include:

• Transparent and non-discriminatory admissions with documented positive discrimination measures for underrepresented groups.
• Access and recruitment policies for underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities, low-income students, students with disabilities, Roma students, and rural high school graduates.
• Anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies
• Diversity and equality offices advising on inclusion, human rights, and equal opportunities.
• Targeted support programs for underrepresented students, staff, and faculty
• Accessible facilities and accommodations for students and employees with disabilities

These measures ensure that no group is excluded from educational opportunities, services, or career pathways, supporting the UN principle that sustainable development cannot be achieved if people are excluded from a chance for a better life.

Administrative Transparency and Access Policies

UAIC ensures transparency in access to higher education through official documents available on the University website:

• UAIC Charter
• Regulations for undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral studies
• Admission methodologies for all academic cycles
• Institutional regulations for doctoral studies

To promote equitable access, UAIC implements positive discrimination measures, reserving specific places for:

• Roma students
• Students from rural high schools
• Students with disabilities
• Students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds

These measures align with SDG 10 which tracks applications and admissions of underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities, low-income students, non-traditional students, women, LGBT students, and newly settled refugees.

Anti-Discrimination and Diversity Policies

UAIC adheres to strict anti-discrimination policies:

• Anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies are defined in the University Charter, Ethical Code, Student Status, and Gender Equality Plan.
• The University has established a Diversity and Equality Committee, tasked with advising and implementing policies, programs, and training related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and human rights on campus.

ACTIONS FOR IMPLEMENTING SDG 10

Programs Supporting Underrepresented Groups

Mentoring Program for First-Year Students

• Conducted annually as part of the Welcome to UAIC event, coordinated by the Educational Marketing, Events, and Academic Image Service (MEDIA).
• Provides opportunities for first-year students to meet and interact with upper-year student mentors, facilitating integration and academic adaptation.
• In 2024, over 2,500 students participated (2,000 freshmen and 500+ mentors) across all 15 faculties.
• MEDIA Service handled coordination, promotion, and operational support.

Accommodation and Social Support

• Dormitories house over 16% of full-time students, offering furnished rooms, private bathrooms, internet access, and kitchens.
• The Houses and Canteens Department manages housing, canteens, and international student exchanges.
• Reduced local and railway transport fares are provided for students in accordance with legislation.

Counselling and Guidance Services

• The Service for Students, Career Guidance, Professional Insertion, and Alumni provides academic, professional, and personal counseling.
• Integrates psychological counseling, coaching, and career advice to support student development.

Medical Services

• Students have access to consultations, therapy, certification for scholarships, and medical support required for academic progression.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

UAIC provides scholarships and material support without discrimination, funded through state and university resources:

• Categories of scholarships: Performance, Merit, Cum Laude, Olympic Merit, Social Aid, Occasional Social Aid, Rural Students, Laudamus, and Cultural/Artistic activities.
• Social aid scholarships prioritize orphans, students from foster care, those with severe medical conditions, or families with low income.
• Scholarship amounts and eligibility are transparent and publicly accessible.

Tutoring and Learning Support

• Faculty-level tutoring programs assist students with academic adaptation and professional development.
• The Learning Center, established in 2018, provides targeted support for students at risk of dropout, offering literacy courses, workshops on time management, stress management, teamwork, effective learning strategies, and coaching sessions.
• Tutors include teaching staff, psychologists, coaches, volunteer students, and alumni.

Accessibility and Disability Support

Support for persons with disabilities at UAIC is expressed through a broad range of measures that combine physical accessibility, digital accessibility, financial support, counseling, accommodation facilities, project-based interventions, and faculty-level services tailored to specific educational needs. The institutional approach is not limited to isolated adaptations, but extends across admission, academic participation, mobility, counseling, housing, student services, and extracurricular inclusion.

The university offers diversified support to students with disabilities through accessibility measures, financial support, and counseling, including dedicated projects such as FDI – ACCESS, focused on accessibility, awareness, and connectivity in relation to higher education. Through the Erasmus+ KA131 and KA171 mobility projects, the university also supports students with fewer opportunities and persons with special needs by awarding additional mobility grants. International students benefit from support through university services, the Erasmus Student Network student association, and student volunteers, thus reinforcing an institutional culture of inclusion and assistance.

Institutional Accessibility and Core Support Services

At institutional level, the university provides support through both permanent services and dedicated interventions aimed at improving access to education for students with disabilities. Students who experience difficulties affecting communication, social interaction, and behavior are referred to the Student Support Service within the university, which provides psychological and educational counseling. Student support services are coordinated within the broader framework of the Student and Alumni Support Service, which offers counseling and guidance relevant to student inclusion and academic adjustment.

The university has also carried out accessibility works at institutional level, including interventions specifically designed to improve access to teaching spaces for persons with disabilities and to obtain the related authorization for operation. These infrastructural efforts complement the broader commitment to ensuring that the educational environment is accessible, functional, and inclusive.

Special places are allocated for persons with disabilities, who benefit from priority in accommodation and may receive special conditions whenever their medical situation requires such arrangements. They may also benefit from fee reductions and, in accordance with the applicable regulations, from additional facilities. These measures strengthen equal access to university life and help reduce barriers that might otherwise affect student participation and continuity.

Accessibility of Educational Spaces and Campus Infrastructure

Several accessibility measures are already in place across the university’s educational spaces. At the UAIC, the facilities are available to persons with disabilities through adaptations that allow access to the ground floor by ramp and to the upper floors by elevator. Access to the basement level is facilitated through the construction of a ramp, while movement from the basement to the ground floor is possible through the use of an elevator. These measures ensure continuity of access across the building and reduce physical barriers within the educational environment.

Admissions and Communication

UAIC ensures clear and accessible communication for prospective students:

• Online guidance covers account creation, registration, document upload, payment, validation, and admission result management.
• Staff from MEDIA provide information via email and social media channels.
• Promotional presentations are conducted in high schools in Iași and other cities across Romania.

CONCLUSION

Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iași demonstrates a comprehensive commitment to SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities through:

• Non-discriminatory access policies across all academic programs.
• Support structures including mentoring, tutoring, counseling, housing, scholarships, and financial aid.
• Accessibility measures for students with disabilities and targeted assistance for underrepresented groups.
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, coordinated at the institutional level, ensuring a safe and inclusive academic environment.

UAIC’s integrated approach—combining legal compliance, institutional policies, financial and social support, and proactive student services—ensures equitable access to education, reduces academic and social inequalities, and promotes inclusive growth within the university community.

Through continuous monitoring and alignment with national and European higher education standards, UAIC fosters a culture of academic fairness, diversity, and inclusion, making it a model institution in the implementation of SDG 10.