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鈥淏ridging knowledge gaps: Rural serving HEIs as equity catalysts in India鈥�: WAHEI team presents at SRHE EDI network event, April 2026
Members of the team, including the project鈥檚 State team leaders from India, attended and participated in an event examining the role of Faculty Members (FM) in rural-serving state universities and government colleges in advancing equity and social justice within higher education (HE) in India.
Hosted by the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) network at the , the session was facilitated and chaired by Dr Nidhi Sadana Sabharwal who is a co-convenor of the EDI Network.
Despite significant expansion of the HE sector in India, first-generation learners from rural and semi-urban background face substantial barriers to access due to limited knowledge about HE opportunities, processes, and pathways. The National Education Policy 2020 acknowledges these challenges and emphasises the potential of local higher education institutions to address them.
Drawing on ongoing research carried out by the WAHEI project, the session explored how FMs in rural and rural-serving higher education institutions can serve as knowledge bridges between HE systems and local communities with limited exposure to HE opportunities and admission processes. The session analysed faculty engagement practices and institutional frameworks that enable outreach efforts.
The presenters included faculty members from HE institutions located in various states across India who have been involved in the WAHEI research.
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Dr. Nidhi S. Sabharwal and Professor Emily Henderson: Introduction to the research |
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S. Arokia Mary project Research Assistant: Methodology |
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Professor Polly Vauquline: North-East Region Perspectives from Assam, India |
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Professor Abdul Gafoor K: South Region Perspectives from Kerala, India |
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Professor Rajeshwari: North Regional Perspective from Haryana, India |
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Professor Dhanashri Jayant Mahajan: West Region Perspective from Maharashtra, India |
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Professor Lukeshwar Gajpal Singh: Central- East Region Perspective from Chhattisgarh, India |
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Professor Ann Stewart: Concluding remarks |
The insights discussed offered valuable perspectives on the challenges and opportunities in implementing equity-focused HE outreach initiatives within specific national and regional contexts. The recording of the online session can viewed at
路 Further details about the event can be found at
路 Further information about the SRHE can be found at
路 Further information about the research carried out by the WAHEI project can be found at 