Sustainability, inclusiveness, integration for University Support Services - SiiUSS

About the Course

Delivered as an online course, it utilizes a blended learning approach that combines interactive and independent learning activities. Participants will connect with each other, receive an introduction to the field of study, and establish a foundation for collaborative learning.

Through structured modules—including group discussions, self-study, tandem partner exchanges, reflection exercises, and peer feedback—participants will explore how their daily work can contribute to long-term positive impact, equity, and social responsibility. They will be encouraged to critically reflect on their current practices and identify concrete ways to integrate new insights into their everyday tasks, fostering lasting change within their institutions.

Responsible Internationalization 

The following components are a critical in responsible internationalization from the support staff perspective:

Inclusiveness
Focuses on fostering an inclusive environment within the institution. Inclusiveness involves creating a campus culture where all individuals, regardless of their background, identity, or origin, feel valued and supported.

Diversity
Emphasizes the importance of diverse perspectives and backgrounds. Diversity goes beyond demographics; it’s about embracing the richness of ideas and experiences that individuals bring.

Integration into Daily Work
Encourages the application of learned concepts in everyday tasks. This focuses on embedding inclusive practices into the routine operations of support roles.

Support Services Role
Highlights the essential functions of support services in institutional operations. Support services are the backbone of a successful internationalization and inclusive strategy offering feedback channels so support services can continuously evolve to meet diverse needs.

Active Participation
Encourages support staff to engage actively in intercultural training. Active participation means moving beyond passive support to being active contributors to institutional efforts such as participation in intercultural training and professional development.

Purpose

To equip support staff as key drivers of quality, inclusion, and sustainability—strengthening student services, fostering socially responsibility, international engagement, and actively contributing to the institution’s long-term vision and global strategy.

After this course you will be able to:

• Reflect upon and compare the essential functions and impact of the support services from both national and international perspectives.
• Explore and discuss Responsible Internationalisation, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, (DEI) and Sustainability with a focus on their relevance in a multicultural and multilingual HEI setting.
• Integrate Responsible Internationalisation in a meaningful way in your role as part of the support services.

Time and place

40 hour online course taught over a 3 months (February to May 2026).

Dates

The cours starts on 17th February and runs until 8th May 2026.
(1) Introduction hybrid meeting 17th February 2026
(2) Mid course hybrid meeting – 25th March 2026
(3) Final hybrid course meeting – 8th May 2026

Participants will receive a certificate upon successful completion of the course and the final project.

Target Group

Support services at a Higher Education Institution (HEI) This course is for staff working in support services within a higher education institution. It is designed for those in roles such as human resources, student administration, international offices, and communication teams—anyone who supports the daily operations of the university and helps students or staff. This includes working with both undergraduate and postgraduate students, whether they are local or international, as well as supporting academic staff. 

The course aims to help participants strengthen their skills, improve collaboration across departments, and provide better support to the university community.

Quote from Course Leader

"Over the past decades, the idea of internationalization in higher education has evolved in many ways—but too often, this conversation has overlooked the vital role of support services. I’ve seen how support staff are regularly expected to keep pace with changing demands and priorities, often without targeted training or a clear role in shaping strategy. I created this course in response to that gap, as a practical tool to build capacity and offer recognition to the essential work being done behind the scenes.

This course is designed to strengthen the skills and confidence of those working in within the support services such HR, student administration, international offices, communication, and other support areas. By bringing these roles into focus, the course aims to highlight their strategic importance in creating more connected, inclusive, and sustainable higher education environments."

Karen Gustafsson, course leader
The Unit for Teaching and Learning facilitates pedagogical and educational development at Karolinska Institutet

Course Content

Module 1 - Kick-off

• Kick-off meeting with an introduction to the field of study and an overview of course logistics and establish a foundation for collaborative learning.

Module 2 - Responsible Internationalization (RI) in Support Services

• Understanding RI: What does Responsible Internationalization mean and what is its relevance to support services?

Module 3: Creating an Inclusive Campus Environment – Campus for all!

• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives: How to contribute to creating an inclusive campus.

• Practical Applications: Environment, logistics, recruitment, welcome days, and introductions.

Module 4: The Power of Inclusive Language– Inclusive language for an inclusive campus

• Language and Bias: Exploring the power of language and addressing bias.
• Inclusive Language Policies: Developing policies that recognize and support diverse language competencies, whether in the same language or different languages.

Module 5: Part 1 - Building Self-Awareness & The road to Cultural Humility

Module 6 - Practical Application through Case Studies 

• Each participant applies their newly acquired knowledge by working on a case study, translating their learning into practical application.

Module 7: Wrap-Up final meeting

•  Course review and reflection, feedback.

Course Set-Up

Participants will engage in a structured sequence of modules, a mixture of group discussions, self-study, discussions with their tandem partner, reflection exercises, and peer feedback, creating opportunities to learn from one another and reinforce their understanding.

Throughout the course, a team of trained facilitators, will assist participants by fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment, encouraging active participation and critical thinking, providing clarification and feedback, to promote collaborative learning.

Eligibility 

Participants are employed as part of the support services at a Higher Education Institution. working in a support role within a higher education institution. No specific technical skills are needed, but it is important to have a basic understanding of how universities function and experience in working with students, staff, or academic teams.

Participants should be comfortable communicating with others, open to learning new approaches, and willing to reflect on their own work practices. The course is suitable for both new and experienced staff who want to improve how they support students and colleagues.

More information

For questions about course content: 
Karen Gustafsson, course leader
The Unit for Teaching and Learning facilitates pedagogical and educational development at Karolinska Institutet
E-mail: karen.gustafsson@ki.se

For administrative questions:
Susanna Sjunneryd, project coordinator
Executive and Professional Education, Karolinska Institutet
E-mail: susanna.sjunneryd@ki.se

Registration

Please note that the course is subject to the condition that we receive a sufficient number of participants.

Registration is binding. For cancellations later than six (6) weeks before the start of the course, 50 percent of the course fee will be charged, and for cancellations later than four (4) weeks before the start of the course, the full course fee will be charged. For complete terms and conditions, see our general terms and conditions.