For employees

Being a faculty member and working in teaching involves daily contact with students to whom you transfer knowledge and information, teach various skills, and encourage their professional growth and development. In addition to teaching, you meet with students for consultations, mentor some, and collaborate with others on joint projects. Most students are motivated to enrol in studies by the desire to become academically educated citizens and to secure better employment through their degree. However, studying is not easy, and obtaining a degree can be challenging. Student life involves much more than attending classes, studying, taking tests and exams, and collecting grades and ECTS points.

The results of the Eurostudent V survey on the social and economic conditions of student life in Croatia indicate that 14% of students have some form of disability and/or long-term health problems or functional limitations (chronic diseases, vision and hearing impairments, learning disorders, psychological disorders, mobility difficulties, or other long-term physical and/or health problems) that hinder them during their studies. Research into the needs and problems of the student population also shows that most students encounter temporary difficulties related to learning and studying and/or various emotional problems during their studies. In this period, they also face numerous developmental tasks that they must address (see the text on student problems – link to it). All pressures, expectations, tasks, and life problems can at some point, and to varying degrees, affect their studies. Students who reported difficulties in the Eurostat survey largely believe that their problems are not taken into account during their studies.

Daily work with students increases the likelihood that you have already encountered those with certain problems, and perhaps you did not know what to do or how to act. Even if you have not had these experiences, it is almost certain that during your work you will encounter some problems and difficulties that students experience, but it is possible that you may not recognise them. Working in large groups, being overloaded with work tasks, and students’ reluctance to point out a problem can all contribute to this. However, a certain sensitivity of teachers to students’ problems and a willingness to direct them to seek help can contribute to the timely resolution of students’ problems, a higher quality and more pleasant teaching process, and increased student success in their studies. Increasing the success of first-year undergraduate students is one of the goals of the Strategy of the University of Rijeka (goal II a, task 1).

The staff of the University Counselling Centre (UCC) work daily with students who face various problems and difficulties during their studies, and research and experience show that many more need some form of help. See other information and advice for staff published to improve cooperation between university teachers and the Counselling Centre, which could contribute to ensuring adequate and timely support for students belonging to various vulnerable groups. If you have any dilemmas, suggestions, or questions, please feel free to contact us.

References

• Šćukanec, N., Sinković, M., Bilić, R., Doolan, K., Cvitan, M. (2015). Socijalni i ekonomski uvjeti studentskog života u Hrvatskoj: nacionalno izvješće istraživanja EUROSTUDENT V za Hrvatsku za 2014. Zagreb: Ministarstvo znanosti, obrazovanja i sporta Republike Hrvatske. 
• Sušanj Z. (ur.) (2014). Strategija Sveučilišta u Rijeci 2014-2020. Rijeka: Sveučilište u Rijeci
• Živčić-Bećirević, I. i Jakovčić, I. (2013). Sveučilišni savjetovališni centar – Psihološko savjetovalište: Naših prvih 15. Rijeka: Sveučilište u Rijeci. 

To continuously improve our work, especially in education, it is important to stay informed about new trends in the wider academic community. In this context, we will discuss the concept of universal design. Universal design is increasingly present in all areas of human life, including education. It is important to understand the positive effects of working according to the principles of universal design.