London Muslim students to share experiences of further education in new survey < Mountain Girls Education Development Program

The Mayor of London launched a survey looking at the challenges facing Muslim students in further education.

Mayor Ken Livingstone said: 'London has the most diverse population of any city in the world, and its student population is particularly diverse. London's cosmopolitan nature is its greatest strength and yet some communities can face exclusion that affects many aspects of their lives.

'This survey aims to explore the experiences of Muslim students in London’s Universities and Colleges and is being implemented following representations from Muslim students and the National Union of Students' Black Students campaign. I have been greatly concerned to hear about education inequality issues raised by some of London’s Muslim community.
'I hope that this report will help universities and colleges better understand the particular problems faced by Muslim students and identify factors that support or hinder opportunities to learn.'

The survey is a direct response to issues raised to the Mayor at a series of stakeholder seminars and conferences earlier this year. The research will be used to help identify strategies and approaches that can address the challenges that they face.
The survey will be sent to further and higher education institutions, mosques, community groups, student and youth organisations across London. The deadline for responding to the survey is 15 December 2007.

Notes:

The Office for Public Management (OPM) have been commissioned to conduct the survey which is part of a wider research project engaging with London Muslim students. The research will seek to obtain quantitative data on characteristics of London Muslim students and qualitative information on their experiences.
The results of the survey are due to be published in spring 2008.
The survey can be accessed via the Greater London Authority and OPM websites via the following links: http://www.london.gov.uk/mayor/equalities/muslim-students.jsp, or http://www.opmsurveys.co.uk/glasurvey/glasurvey.htm.
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