University diversity officer (10.6.5)

Széchenyi István University maintains a formal institutional framework for equality, inclusion and accessibility through its Regulation on Ensuring Equal Opportunities for Students with Special Needs (Szabályzat a speciális igényű hallgatók esélyegyenlőségének biztosításáról). The Regulation establishes both a University Equal Opportunities Coordinator and the Equal Opportunities Committee for Students with Special Needs (EFB), responsible for implementing, monitoring and evaluating equal-opportunity measures across the institution. The Regulation applies not only to students but also to University employees and all persons participating in the University’s educational activities.

Responsibility is not limited to students with special needs. The University’s Ethics Committee, established under the Code of Conduct adopted by the Governing Board acts in cases where the Code is breached, including its requirements of equal treatment and non-discrimination (Code of Conduct, §2(3) and §9(1)). The Equal Opportunities Plan and the Gender Equality Plan (2025–2027) apply to all organisational units and all employees.

The University Equal Opportunities Coordinator is formally appointed by the University President and Rector and acts as the central institutional officer responsible for supporting students with special needs, maintaining records and statistics, providing guidance and assistance, coordinating support measures, liaising with academic staff and monitoring implementation of equal-opportunity provisions (§3(1)-(4), p. 3.; §4(1)-(8), p. 4). The Coordinator also submits regular reports on the number and situation of registered students and on the activities of the Equal Opportunities Committee (§4(8), p. 4).

The Special Needs Students Equal Opportunities Committee (EFB) is a multidisciplinary body comprising the Head of the Educational Administration Directorate, the Equal Opportunities Coordinator, faculty representatives delegated by each faculty, a representative of the Study Office and a representative of the Student Union (§5(1)-(2), p. 4). The Committee is responsible for reviewing applications, investigating complaints, deciding on accommodations and support measures, allocating resources, and making recommendations concerning the support of students with special needs (§5(5), p. 5).

The Regulation requires ongoing monitoring and evaluation of equal-opportunity measures. The Coordinator maintains a register of supported students and provides statistical reporting (§4(1), p. 4), while students annually evaluate both the Coordinator’s work and the effectiveness of equal-opportunity provisions through a formal feedback process (§8(4), p. 9).

The University’s equal-opportunity framework goes beyond monitoring the number of registered students with special needs. The Equal Opportunities Coordinator also records the types of disabilities and specific requirements identified among students, enabling the University to provide support adapted to individual needs. These include extended preparation time, assistive devices during courses and examinations, alternative written or oral examination formats, personal assistance, adapted examination arrangements and exemptions or modifications of particular academic requirements. The institutional equality function translates the identification of students’ needs into concrete and differentiated support measures designed to promote equal access to education.