In a
concerted effort to further integrate Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
goals among the UM community, the Equity Office in collaboration with the
Faculty of Information and Communication Technology (FICT) held the first of a
series of outreach efforts on Wednesday 10 April 2024.
A faculty seminar, titled âEmbracing Equity, Diversity and Inclusionâ brought together academics and administrative staff. It provided the space for essential dialogue aimed at cultivating inclusivity within the ICT discipline.
The
seminar underscored the significance of EDI principles both in the
working and learning environment and furthermore to discuss and explore
strategies for enhancing diversity and equity in the ICT domain.
In her opening remarks, Prof. Carmen Sammut, Pro-Rector for Students and Staff Affairs and Outreach, thanked the Faculty Dean, Prof. Ing. Carl James Debono for hosting this seminar and emphasised the importance of collaboration and partnership in advancing University strategies and objectives.
In her address, she stated that,
âeffective mainstreaming of EDI in the faculty and implementation of the
Gender+ Equity Plan requires a bottom-up approach. It is crucial to identify
Faculty priorities and establish a workable plan for the implementation of the
G+EP.â
The seminar was followed by a presentation delivered by Prof. Ing. Carl James Debono, who gave a comprehensive overview of the student and staff demographics at the Faculty, shedding light on key trends and patterns. This was then followed by an overview of UMâs EDI Policy by Ms Nadia Abdilla, Equity Coordinator.
She outlined the Gender+
Equity Plan and the strategic direction for the successful and effective
implementation through the adoption of a faculty-focused approach. To conclude
the interventions, Dr Vanessa Camilleri, Senior Lecturer in Artificial
Intelligence at the Faculty, provided valuable insights highlighting the
challenges associated with aligning EDI principles with AI. She emphasised the
importance of nurturing inclusivity and diversity within research teams while
advocating for open dialogue.
Key themes addressed during the workshops included the importance of representation and diversity in technology-related fields, the identification of barriers, addressing student and staff retention and sustainability and social impact. The workshops contributed to a rich exchange of ideas between faculty academics and administrative staff.