Ms. Rasha Alnajdi
Director of Counseling, Student Counseling Directorate
The Counseling and Guidance Department provides academic, psychological, social, and career guidance services to students, supporting their academic success and personal development. The department also organizes awareness programs, workshops, and training activities, while fostering a supportive and inclusive university environment that meets the needs of all students, including students with special needs.
MISSION
To provide outstanding counseling and guidance services that support students academically, psychologically, socially, and professionally, contributing to their success and the development of their abilities within an inclusive and motivating university environment.
AIMS
Students can visit a counselor for several reasons. Please consider meeting with a counselor if you are experiencing any of the above concerns, or even otherwise. Counselors at AU have an open door policy, where the counselor-student relationship is viewed as unconditional in nature, not restricting frequency or purpose of contact. For concerns we cannot resolve we will refer you to the appropriate body.
Useful Resources
Counseling Appointment
How can you schedule a counseling appointment?
Come by the counselor’s office located in the Admission and Registration area, within the Deanship of Student Affairs- Office #1F- 26.
Call the counselor during working hours of 8 am- 4 pm, Sunday through Thursday, on +973 17298552, or e-mail at counselling [email protected].
Facilities and support for special need students
Ahlia University is equally inclusive to special needs students and non-special needs students. Students with special needs are welcomed to apply in all Ahlia University programmes. Admission of students with special needs is done through a special needs admission committee, which assess the potential of candidates to succeed in their chosen academic programme.
Special needs students are given support and guidance by Ahlia University faculty and staff, Directorate of Student Activities and Services and Directorate of Student Counseling. The university has a special needs committee that is responsible to pursue the welfare of all students with special needs.
In the case of undeclared special needs or in the case of a new development of any kind of special needs, the university’s special needs committee, faculty and staff at Ahlia University will endeavor to identify the special needs and will support students and their needs.
Facilities
Car Park: AU provides, where possible, special car parking slots for disabled students and students with special needs,
Bathrooms: AU provides suitable bathrooms for disabled students and students with special needs,
Entrances: AU provides suitable ramps on entrances as well as railings and elevator services (where appropriate) for disabled students and students with special needs,
Classrooms: Where needed, especially designed seating facilities in classrooms and labs are provided.
AU will not provide a medical treatment for students with special needs. Rather, every effort will be made to provide these students with guidance to obtain medical treatment in public and private facilities in proximity to the University. The university has a full time nurse in the campus for any consultation and emergencies.
Classrooms and labs
Assistive Devices: AU will allow students with special needs to use assistive devices in classrooms and labs and, where possible, will provide some supportive or adaptive devices that will help them learn better.
Support in classrooms and labs: AU will respond adequately to the kind of impairment that the special needs student The impairments could be physical (like visual impairment or hearing impairment) or mental such as certain disorders (autism or epilepsy or others).
Examinations
- Location and Duration of Exam: Where needed, the students with special needs will be provided with a separate location in a suitable environment to write the exam. Where necessary, additional exam time as appropriate will be provided for students with special needs to complete their exams,
- At all times, discretion in dealing with students with special needs is observed; an example would be if there is tardiness on arrival or difficulty in reaching the exam room,
- Where needed, we will provide necessary support for the student special needs to complete the exam and this support could be, for example, in the form of note-taking (or other).
Activities
Ahlia University strives to offer a healthy and enriching environment to support, guide, and encourage students with special needs to participate in general student activities within the university and/or beyond. We encourage all students to participate in local, regional, and international events that are designed to celebrate the achievements of all students in addition to events specifically designed for students with special needs.
The Events include among other activities:
- Workshops
- Conferences
- Forums
Introduction to Sign Language
- 14/02/2026
Positive Coping with Crises: Guidance for Students During the Current Circumstances
- 08/04/2026
Your Hands Can Save a Life
- 13/10/2025
The Second Forum on the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities in Higher Education
- 25/09/2024
Your Mental Health Matters to Us
- 12/10/2026
Connect With Us
Ahlia University
Directorate of Student Counseling & Advising
- +973 1729 8552
- +973 1729 8552
- GOSI Complex 1st Floor, Office 1F-26
- Sunday to Thursday - 8 AM to 5 PM
Ahlia University
- +973 17 29 8999
- [email protected]
- Bld 41, Rd 18, Al-Hoora 310 Gosi Complex, Exhibition Road
- Sunday to Thursday - 8 AM to 5 PM
