The student on the education in media and communication science at Lund University has a medical certificate that she has been diagnosed with social phobia. But the university believes that the education requires students to be able to make oral presentations in front of a group, writes Sydsvenskan.
Now, therefore, the Discrimination Ombudsman, DO, can take over the issue when the student reports the university for lack of accessibility.
“Incredibly devalued and offended”
In the report, the student describes that she feels “incredibly devalued and offended” and that she feels misunderstood.
“Despite educational support and a certificate from a doctor about my diagnosis of social anxiety, this person was completely of the opinion that I only wanted to ‘avoid’ the oral performances,” writes the student.
The student also points to the fact that he previously received special solutions when he studied at Halmstad University. Then, for example, the student could send a video of his presentation, instead of holding the performance in front of a group.
The director of studies: “It’s in the syllabus”
The student has been approved to receive targeted educational support from Lund University due to his social phobia. But according to the director of studies on the course, the student must still stand in front of the class when required.
– Now I don’t know what their learning goals are in Halmstad. But we have learning objectives that require you to present in a group, in live situations. We are discussing, it says in the syllabus that you should be able to do things like this, says director of studies Fredrik Schoug to Sydsvenskan.
He continues:
– People come to our education to learn this. Conducting a scientific conversation means that one must be able to discuss one’s theses, answer questions and respond to objections.