Measure and Track Applications and Admissions of Underrepresented Groups
In 2023, Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhat University (BSRU) implemented comprehensive measures to track applications and admissions of underrepresented and potentially underrepresented groups, demonstrating a commitment to equal access and inclusion in higher education. The university’s data collection encompasses key demographic categories such as gender, religion, household income, and disability status. This analysis evaluates the institution’s practices against the SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) indicator for tracking underrepresented groups.
1. Gender Representation in Applications and Admissions
BSRU closely monitored gender representation among its applicants and admitted students. In 2023, 67.73% of applicants were male, while 32.27% were female. However, when comparing admissions, the trend reversed, with 41.26% of accepted students being male and 58.74% being female. This suggests that while more males applied, a higher proportion of female applicants were admitted, indicating possible gender-based disparities in acceptance rates. This gender-specific data collection highlights the university’s awareness of gender inequality, especially in applications, and can serve as the basis for future interventions to balance gender access.
2. Tracking Muslim Student Admissions
The university specifically monitored applications and admissions of Muslim students, an ethnic and religious minority in Thailand. Among the 228 Muslim applicants, 199 students (87.28%) were successfully admitted, with acceptance rates notably high for both males (94.23%) and females (85.23%). This high admission rate underscores BSRU’s efforts to ensure access for religious minorities, reflecting positive outcomes for Muslim students. This targeted tracking supports the university’s commitment to fostering diversity and inclusivity among different religious groups.
3. Household Income and Access to Education
BSRU’s data on admissions categorized by household income demonstrates a focus on ensuring access for low-income students. Of the 9,576 full-time equivalent (FTE) students in 2023, the majority (59.2%) came from households earning less than 150,000 Baht per year, emphasizing the university’s role in providing opportunities to financially disadvantaged students. Additionally, 6.4% of students reported having no income, further illustrating BSRU’s reach in supporting students from marginalized economic backgrounds. By tracking student income levels, the university ensures its programs are accessible to those from low-income families, supporting socioeconomic diversity.
4. Support for Students with Disabilities
BSRU provided detailed tracking of students with disabilities, further demonstrating its commitment to inclusion. The data reveals that 34 students with disabilities were admitted, representing various types of disabilities including physical impairments (7 students), hearing impairments (5 students), visual impairments (4 students), learning disabilities (3 students), intellectual disabilities (4 students), mental health conditions (1 student), and autism (10 students). The university’s efforts to admit and support students with a wide range of disabilities reflect its dedication to inclusive education practices and equitable access for all students, regardless of physical or cognitive challenges.
BSRU’s comprehensive efforts to measure and track applications and admissions from underrepresented groups—including students from low-income families, ethnic minorities, and students with disabilities—reflect a strong commitment to SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities. The institution’s systematic data collection supports equitable access, though increased public availability of this data would further enhance transparency and strengthen its commitment to inclusion. For more information, please read Academic Affairs and Registration detailed analysis:
