The Salesian Pontifical University (UPS) takes another step forward in its educational mission with the launch of the new Inclusion Service, aimed at ensuring equal opportunities and genuine educational support for all students — especially those with disabilities, specific learning disorders (SLD), and special language needs (SLN).
At the heart of the project is the Salesian principle of “caring for the individual,” a vision that translates into tangible actions to make the university journey accessible, fair and inclusive.
Given UPS’s multicultural makeup, welcoming students from many countries around the world, the Inclusion Service presents itself as a space for listening and personalized support. In addition to following national guidelines on academic inclusion, the Service expands its scope by offering assistance to international students with particular linguistic needs, especially during key academic milestones such as the preparation of bachelor’s and licentiate theses.
Main functions of the Service
The new Service is structured around a series of core activities:
- Verification of disability or SLD (Specific Learning Disorders) certifications submitted by students at enrollment
- Welcome interviews aimed at understanding learning strategies and individual needs, facilitating adaptation of the academic path
- Support for faculty in personalizing teaching and assessment methods, while maintaining the quality of content and disciplinary standards
- Relational mediation, if requested, between students and faculty throughout the educational journey
- Launch of peer tutoring initiatives, technological tools, and shared pathways to foster autonomy and active participation in university life
- Development of language laboratories for international students, with particular focus on written and spoken communication
The Service will be introduced progressively. Module 1 will activate the basic functions: certification review, initial interviews, and educational mediation. Over the following two years, Module 2 will implement additional activities such as ongoing support interviews, language labs, small group tutoring, drafting of a student and faculty handbook, and specialized training for university faculty.
The launch of the Inclusion Service represents another step toward making UPS an even more welcoming environment, where every student can find the tools to fully express their potential. It is a commitment aligned with Salesian identity and the goal of forming conscious, free individuals capable of driving change.