Inclusion and interculturality? Living in the Casa del Universitario Indígena (CUI) of the Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero

Abstract

This paper is based on a Master’s research conducted in the Department of Educational Research at Cinvestav. It explores the experiences of the residents of the Casa del Universitario Indígena (CUI), an initiative of the Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero (UAGro) designed as an inclusion policy for Indigenous students. The CUI provides a safe and free living space, addresses their basic needs, and offers essential resources for learning. The CUI stands out as a space of interculturality and constant coexistence, where interactions among residents, their peers, authorities, and various areas of the shelter are fundamental to the inclusion process. This presentation shares experiences that illustrate how these factors impact the educational and personal lives of students and emphasizes the relevance of the CUI in their academic development and resilience. Life at the CUI represents a social microcosm where diverse cultures and experiences converge, fostering a sense of community. Through daily coexistence and conflict management, students develop key social and emotional skills such as empathy and respect for differences. These aspects are addressed from various angles: daily routines, identity formation, and the role of the shelter in protecting vulnerable groups. The study was based on a series of qualitative interviews with a phenomenological approach that capture the experiences of CUI residents in relation to their inclusion at the university and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The interviews were mainly conducted via videoconferencing due to health restrictions, and in some cases, at the CUI itself. The questions focused on three key areas: the university experience, life at the CUI, and the impact of the pandemic.