Related Resources
Equity and Diversity Policy of Ahlia University
Ahlia University is committed to maintaining equity among its diverse community of students, faculty, and staff. The University ensures equitable and respectful treatment based on the following definitions:
Diversity
Appreciation and acknowledgement of differences among members of the university community that promote acceptance and belonging, regardless of age, color, disability, employment status, ethnicity, language, family or marital status, race, religion, gender, socio-economic background, and more.
Equity
A standard of treatment involving fairness in decisions affecting the university community. Equity does not necessarily mean equal treatment, as interests must be balanced fairly.
I. Equity and Diversity Among Students
All students, regardless of race, religion, disability, or other factors, have the right to quality education. Admission is merit-based. Ahlia promotes a discrimination-free academic and social environment for all students.
II. Equity and Diversity Among Staff
Ahlia ensures a safe, fair, and inclusive workplace, free from harassment or discrimination. Recruitment is based on qualifications and merit. Managers must ensure fairness in evaluations, compensation, and task assignments.
The University enforces adherence to codes of conduct and an Anti-Harassment Policy.
Equal Opportunity
Ahlia champions equal opportunity and women empowerment, guided by core values: excellence, inclusiveness, integrity, collegiality, ambition, and engagement.
Equal Opportunity Plan Aims
- Promote equal opportunity through gender-responsive policy aligned with national/international frameworks.
- Empower women by integrating their needs in development programs.
- Ensure a safe, supportive work environment with work-life balance and lifelong learning.
- Collaborate with partners to promote equal opportunity in society.
- Support national strategies as a model organization for women.
Initiative 1
- Institutionalize equal opportunity and women empowerment practices.
- Establish a centralized advisory body.
- Provide professional development and upskilling for women.
Initiative 2
- Build partnerships for knowledge sharing and best practices.
- Organize conferences on equal opportunity and women’s issues.
- Develop frameworks with partners, especially in STEM.
Initiative 3
- Promote equal opportunity through awareness events and campaigns.
- Host women-focused activities for students and staff.
- Create gender-responsive policies for work-life balance and learning.
- Collect data to measure impact and awareness.
EMPOWERING WOMEN Facts & Figures
In line with our core values, from inclusiveness to integrity, the Equal Opportunity Committee at Ahlia University has recently conducted a self-evaluation exercise in relation to women empowerment and equal opportunity at the University.
The results published cover the period 2016-20, in line with the former institutional strategic plan 2016-20.
We look forward to achieving new milestones as we work to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and continue our efforts to mainstream the principle of equal opportunity throughout the university and beyond.
EQUITY AND DIVERSITY
https://www.ahlia.edu.bh/cms4/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Ahlia_Staff_HandBook_June2024.pdf
Ahlia University, as a higher educational institution, is dedicated to upholding equity within its diverse community of students, faculty, and staff, in accordance with the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Sustainable Development Goals. This commitment aligns with Goal 4, which focuses on quality education, Goal 5, which promotes gender equality, and Goal 10, which aims to reduce inequalities. The university ensures that all individuals within its community are treated fairly and respectfully, following the principles outlined below.
Diversity:
Appreciation and acknowledgement of differences amongst the members of the university community that promote acceptance and belonging, regardless of factors that span age, color, disability, employment status, ethnic or national origins, language, family status, marital status, race, religious or spiritual belief, gender, socio-economic circumstances and taste.
Equity:
A standard of treatment of people that involves reasonable efforts to ensure fairness in decisions impacting all members of the university community.
However, equitable treatment does not necessary mean equal treatment as a range of interests impacting all parties need be balanced.
Equity and Diversity Among Staff
Ahlia University strives to treat its staff fairly by maintaining a healthy, safe and productive work environment which is free from discrimination based on any other factor that is unrelated to Ahlia legitimate interests. Ahlia University shall not tolerate any offensive, intimidating or inappropriate statements or behavior undermining equity in the work environment. Harassment in all its manifestations is prohibited.
Committed to applying an effective recruitment policy that is based on the principles of equity and fairness, and equal employment opportunity, Ahlia University shall ensure to identify, efficiently and effectively, the right candidates for vacancies in Ahlia and recruitment shall be based on qualifications, experience, and merit.
Supervisors and managers are expected to ensure that work-related decisions regarding task allocation, compensation, performance evaluations, the administration of Ahlia benefits et. al. reflect principles of fairness and equity.
Equal opportunities
https://www.ahlia.edu.bh/equal-opportunity/
Since inception, Ahlia University has championed equal opportunity and women empowerment. This is manifest in the University's core values: Excellence, inclusiveness, integrity, collegiality, ambition, and engagement.
What do we do about inclusiveness?
We champion inclusivity, diversity, and equity both within and outside the institution. We strive to mainstream the principle of equal opportunity in all our operations, and in relation to all stakeholders.
In 2017, Ahlia University established an Equal Opportunity Committee as part of the university's formal governance structure. The committee is chaired by the President and oversees/advises on all issues relating to the principle of equal opportunity.
EOC Purpose
To mainstream the culture and practice of equal opportunity, diversity, and inclusivity across the University in line with the Bahrain Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goal 5.
Fairness
https://www.ahlia.edu.bh/cms4/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Staff-Handbook_June2021_WEB_4.pdf
Fairness refers to the equitable treatment of different people, or groups, conforming to a consistent set of standards. Employees are entitled to expect fair treatment at Ahlia University and are expected to treat others fairly. That also requires employees to conduct themselves in such a way so as to ensure that Ahlia University's reputation for fairness is sustained and enhanced all the time.
OUR STUDENT DIVERSITY
At AU we believe that all students, regardless of colour, race, religion, and physical or learning disability, have the right to the best education we can provide. Our student body comprises over 30 nationalities. At AU, we work hard to ensure that all our students are treated equally and with respect.
OUR INTERNATIONAL CULTURE
Our faculty members are from 25 different countries and possess credentials from some of the best universities in the world, ensuring we continue to work with our students to prepare them for the global market.
Equal Opportunity
https://www.ahlia.edu.bh/equal-opportunity/
Ahlia University provides a space for its administrative staff and students to learn about their equal opportunities, as shown below:
WTUN Gender Equality Pledge
https://www.ahlia.edu.bh/equal-opportunity/
As a founding member of the World Technology Universities Network, Ahlia University is proud of playing a key role in the development of a gender equality pledge for the network of 20+ members from across the World.
4th Equal Opportunities Conference
https://www.ahlia.edu.bh/4th-equal-opportunity-conference/
Under the patronage of H.E. Fawzia Bint Abdulla Zainal Speaker of council of Representatives.
It is our honor to invite you to the Fourth Conference on Equal Opportunities
The emergence of Covid-19 and the resultant public health crisis has brought societal inequalities into sharp relief. How different countries have chosen to respond is not only shaping the current moment but is also having a crucial impact on the shape of the future—on who has access to vital resources and who is denied. This year's conference will focus on the way in which the global pandemic is shaping our collective futures in new and unexpected ways and what that means to the ongoing objective of equal opportunities.
More specifically, how has and how should activity in the fields of health, education, law and business respond to what might be considered a pivotal moment that will set the direction and economic and social impacts for the coming decades? Decades in which responses to climate change, public health crises, and economic imperatives must find a way to align with each other. What can be learnt from responses in health, education, law and business that serve to advance the objectives of equal opportunities? What must we do to avoid losing ground and ensure that the drive to maintain and build more equal opportunities and equitable futures continues unabated? We invite you to submit 15–20-minute papers and presentations which explore specific elements of these broad questions.
Welcome Message from the Founding President & Chairman of Board of Trustees
Prof. Abdulla Y. Al Hawaj
It gives me great pleasure to announce that we are holding The Fourth Conference on Equal Opportunities in "Health, Education, Law and Business." We are absolutely ecstatic to conduct this conference under the patronage of Her Excellency Mrs. Fawzia Bint Abdulla Zainal, the Speaker of the Council of Representatives, whose renown as a pioneer in the cause of women’s empowerment is widely acknowledged and recognized in the Arabian Gulf region and far beyond. Under her stewardship, the Council of Representatives indefatigably tackles and relentlessly drives women’s empowerment as part and parcel of its wider stimulation and development of communities and organizations as a core element of what uncontrovertibly ranks as society’s most important social cause.
This conference, organized jointly by Ahlia University and Brunel University London, is inspired by our mission to move forward the frontiers of human knowledge and to elevate the social and living standards of society. It is a demonstration of our core values in action and exemplifies our commitment to scholarship across various academic fields and disciplines.
The theme "Health, Education, Law and Business" was carefully selected as it goes to the heart of a transcendental and transformational issue of paramount salience in the world today; namely, women’s empowerment and female participation in human capital development. Promoting equal opportunity engenders benefits of far-reaching consequences—be they economic, social, or otherwise—impacting all aspects of society.
We are proud of, and heartened by, the path-breaking activities of the Supreme Council for Women under the leadership and guidance of H.R.H. Princess Sabeeka Bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa in furtherance of women’s empowerment. Given these efforts, it is unsurprising that the Kingdom of Bahrain has emerged as an unparalleled leader in equality between men and women. Using a cross-section of the latest scholarly methods, we accordingly strive to highlight and to reflect on the good practice evinced in the sphere of women’s empowerment in Bahrain. Moreover, the conference includes empirical studies about “Health, Education, Law and Business” in Bahrain involving a set of workshops employing cutting-edge methods in the field.
Finally, I offer my thanks to all the contributors of the conference and our distinguished guests, and would like to offer my sincere gratitude to the organizing committee who made this conference a success.
Fairness
Fairness refers to the equitable treatment of different people, or groups, conforming to a consistent set of standards. Employees are entitled to expect fair treatment at Ahlia University and are expected to treat others fairly. That also requires employees to conduct themselves in such a way so as to ensure that Ahlia University’s reputation for fairness is sustained and enhanced all the time.
Our Student Diversity
Study Abroad and Exchange Guide PDF
At AU we believe that all students, regardless of colour, race, religion, and physical or learning disability, have the right to the best education we can provide. Our student body comprises over 30 nationalities. At AU, we work hard to ensure that all our students are treated equally and with respect.
Our International Culture
Our faculty members are from 25 different countries and possess credentials from some of the best universities in the world, ensuring we continue to work with our students to prepare them for the global market.
