Annual Report on Contributions to SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  Introduction

Sustainable Development Goal 10 (SDG 10) advocates for comprehensive measures to reduce discrimination and promote the inclusion and equal opportunity for all individuals. The University of El Oued stands dedicated to advancing the reduction of inequalities, extending its focus beyond income disparity to include socio-economic, political, and institutional inequalities. This report highlights the university’s contributions to SDG 10, emphasizing the propagation of an equitable society via research, inclusive practices, and ongoing support for marginalized students and community members.

  1. Research Addressing Socio-Economic Disparities

The research conducted at the University of El Oued reflects an increasing emphasis on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 10: Reduced Inequalities, by examining critical socioeconomic factors stemming from disparities that impact both national and international settings. One study analyzes how socioeconomic factors impede or facilitate female entrepreneurship, contributing to policies for women’s economic inclusion (Chikh-Amnache & Mekhzoumi, 2024). A second paper investigates youth marginalization as seen through illegal immigration, linking this phenomenon to a lack of opportunities and its impact on local development (Yakoub et al., 2024). These studies demonstrate the university’s growing focus on structural inequalities and their visible consequences.

  1. Integration and Non-Discrimination Policies

The University of El Oued is dedicated to fostering egalitarian policies for higher education, reflecting efforts of reducing socioeconomic disparities across all of its organizational functions. The Code of Ethics ensures free education, equitable practices in recruitment and admission processes, fostering equal opportunities for all individuals. These policies are assessed through a critical dimension of inclusiveness; incorporating individuals with disabilities into varied educational settings.

  • Equity in Admissions & Recruitment

The university’s stance on the admission and recruitment of individuals with disabilities reflects adherence to policies against discrimination and strengthens the monitoring of institutional regulation structures.

  • Students with Disabilities: In the current reporting year, the University provided support to a total of 60 students with documented disabilities, indicating a commitment to ensuring equitable access to higher education. The university endorses the representation and visibility of students with special needs, especially within student dormitories and organizations. The Lodging—Directorate of University Services, El Oued State sponsors the activities of the group nationally. The Basmat Amal club (Imprint of Hope) offers skill development through the organization of workshops and boosts member participation in essential fields such as biology and medicine.

  • Employees with Disabilities: the university’s non-discriminatory employment policies have led to a total of 14 employees with documented disabilities in 2024, including both academic instructors and administrative staff, indicating measurable progress toward equity in hiring practices.
  • Inclusivity and Awareness

The University of El Oued, in tandem with its efforts to accommodate marginalized groups, initiated a continuous audiovisual program in 2024 through its printing and audio-visual center. Titled “My Willpower,” The program, titled “My Willpower,” aims to integrate individuals with disabilities into various projects, including economic, social, and sports initiatives. It also celebrates the activities and achievements of the students and educators with disabilities while promoting awareness and understanding of disability issues. This program, featuring students and educators with disabilities as presenters and guests, is disseminated through social media platforms including Facebook and YouTube.

  • Institutional Endorsement of Creativity

The university contributes to startup opportunities for students with disabilities through collaborations with national innovation organizations and economic initiatives, particularly through the adoption of the Label project innovant and patent accreditation for startup enterprises. Collaborations provide students with customized mentoring, and application assistance, as well as accessible networks, incubators, funding opportunities.

  1. Towards Inclusivity and Sustainable educational services

El Oued University prioritizes the establishment of a welcoming environment for all students through the implementation of formal support systems and ensuring direct engagement between administration and the student body. This approach addresses systemic barriers and offers equitable access to opportunities. The commitment to sustainable educational services is made evident by the university’s focus on providing services, mainly Lodging, which involves the maintenance of essential resources like student accommodation. This is a primary objective for universities to ensure long-term educational access and success for all learners

 

 Conclusion

The university’s practices demonstrate a commitment to SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities through the integration of equity in its fundamental operations. This commitment is achieved by the means of research to tackle socio-economic disparities and to guarantee equitable admissions and recruitment processes for all groups, including staff and students with disabilities. The institution promotes inclusivity and awareness, offering institutional support for creativity in various domains. The commitment to sustainable educational services, with a focus on essential resources such as student accommodation, ensures that high-quality learning is accessible to both current and future generations of diverse students, positioning the university as a significant contributor to the development of a more just and equitable society.