NEWS
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) at IPCA
28 January 2025
The Polytechnic University of Cávado and Ave (IPCA) is committed to fostering a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) across all its campuses and activities. With a strong focus on internationalisation, IPCA actively promotes inclusivity by embracing different cultures and values. Its strategic initiatives are built on principles of equality, ensuring that students from various backgrounds are supported in their academic journey.
One key initiative at IPCA is its participation in the European Regional University Network (RUN-EU), which promotes diversity and multiculturalism among its member institutions. Through international workshops and collaborative research, IPCA seeks to provide students and faculty with opportunities to engage in meaningful discussions on topics like inclusion, European values, and global cooperation.
Furthermore, IPCA is dedicated to creating an environment where all students, regardless of their background, can succeed. This is reflected in the university’s international student services, which include support systems for cultural integration, language courses, and guidance for international mobility.
By continuously enhancing these practices, IPCA ensures its role as a leader in higher education that promotes a diverse, inclusive, and accessible academic experience.


The Polytechnic University of Cávado and Ave (IPCA) is deeply committed to promoting Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in line with European values, particularly human dignity, equality, and non-discrimination. In line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, IPCA supports initiatives such as eradicating poverty, ensuring quality education, promoting gender equality, and reducing inequalities. These principles are embedded in Portugal’s national strategies, including the National Strategy for Equality and Non-Discrimination (2018-2030) and the National Strategy for the Inclusion of People with Disabilities (2021-2025).
In 2021, the Working Group for Supporting Students with Disabilities in Higher Education proposed recommendations to create “universities for all,” focusing on inclusivity beyond access—addressing success factors for students with specific educational needs. These include the creation of truly inclusive environments based on Universal Design for Learning, ensuring accessibility across physical spaces, websites, and administrative systems.
IPCA’s Inclusion, Diversity, and Multiculturalism Programme is a direct response to these national and international goals, and it is designed to foster a cohesive, diverse, and inclusive community. The programme focuses on four main areas: student recruitment, inclusive education, social integration, and societal engagement. Its objectives include empowering international students, promoting inclusive teaching practices, ensuring equal access for vulnerable groups, and fostering cultural diversity for sustainable development.
This strategic approach underlines IPCA’s commitment to being an inclusive institution, ensuring all students, especially those with specific needs, have equal opportunities to thrive academically, socially, and culturally.
Events

IPCA marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities with a lecture focused on Neurodivergent Students. The event aims to raise awareness and foster discussions about neurodiversity in the academic environment, highlighting the importance of inclusive practices to support students with diverse cognitive profiles.

Women’s Day dedicated to Women’s Empowerment – This initiative aims to create an inspiring moment for female students and faculty at ETeSP, contributing to raising awareness and valuing the role of women. It aligns with the equality and inclusion measures outlined in the strategic objectives of IPCA.
Gender Equality Commission
With the approval of the IPCA Gender Equality Plan (PAIGIPCA), and to ensure the implementation, follow-up and monitoring of the plan, a Gender Equality Working Group (GTIG) has been established.
The GTIG is made up of a gender-balanced and multidisciplinary team. This group will be responsible for collecting and analysing data from different areas of IPCA. This group will be responsible for collecting and analysing data with the aim of monitoring the indicators of progress associated with each of the actions that make up PAIGIPCA, and proposing corrective measures whenever justified.
The GTIG will also work to organise a series of training and/or awareness-raising activities on gender equality, inclusion and anti-discrimination, promoting the values of equality, equity and diversity within the academic community.
Find more about our Gender Equality Plan:
