Process of Inclusion of Students From Ethnic Communities In Conventional University Education

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the inclusion process for students from the Awajún and Wampis ethnic communities within conventional university education in Peru. A case study design with an interpretative qualitative approach was employed. Data were collected using semi-structured, in-depth interviews with five students—three from the Awajún community and two from the Wampis community—selected through convenience sampling. Additionally, two life histories were documented to provide deeper insight into the students' experiences. The findings indicated that the inclusion process for Awajún and Wampis students is influenced by significant economic, linguistic, and cultural challenges. However, some supportive factors were identified, such as peer feedback, solidarity among students, and financial assistance from the State through the Beca 18 scholarship program. This program, established in 2013, aims to provide financial support to low-income students from rural areas to facilitate access to higher education. Despite these supportive mechanisms, the study concluded that a genuine and comprehensive inclusion process for students from ethnic communities remains lacking. This gap is attributed to the inability of conventional universities to foster dialogic communication that equally values diverse cultural knowledge. The main limitation of this study was the language barrier and communication differences, which may have impacted the depth of understanding of the students' expressions. Future research should involve interviewers proficient in native languages to ensure richer data collection. This study contributes to the limited body of research on the inclusion of students from ethnic communities in conventional universities, offering unique insights from the students’ perspectives.