The 2030 agenda and students with migratory background at italian higher education institutions. Challenges and opportunities

The paper is introducing the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goal 4 “Quality Education Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all” while also providing an analysis of needs, challenges and opportunities characteristics for students with migratory background in accessing and completing Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) paths in the European Union (EU). Research (e.g., EC, OECD, among others) has shown that students with migratory background are considered as a disadvantaged and vulnerable group due to several economic, educational and psycho-social factors. In the same time, their resilience – conceived as the capacity to reach adequate levels of adjustment across multiple well-being dimensions – is significant, not only in terms of protective factors but also as a contribution to enrich host societies and promote intercultural communities globally. Focusing on the Italian context as a relatively new immigration country, where HEIs are currently registering a growing number of students with migratory background, the paper analyses a case study of one of the largest and oldest European universities. Conclusions are discussed to prioritize multi-actor actions that promote and enhance inclusiveness, equity, and diversity.