Goal 10 / 10.6 / 10.6.3

Does your university have programs to recruit students, staff, and faculty from underrepresented groups?

DIRECT RESPONSE: YES

Ahlia University delivers planned actions to recruit students, professional staff and academic faculty from groups that are underrepresented or may face barriers to participation. The institutional system combines targeted scholarships and admissions arrangements, international-applicant assistance, Bahrainisation, equal-opportunity recruitment, varied national and international sourcing channels, direct recruitment campaigns and public vacancies.

INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSE

1. Direct answer and evidence position

Ahlia University takes planned, practical action to widen access to study and employment. For students, it removes financial and procedural barriers through scholarships, disability-sensitive admission, regional and international recruitment, and dedicated application support. For staff and faculty, it applies a University-wide recruitment system based on equal opportunity and merit, includes a formal Bahrainisation objective for qualified Bahraini women and men, and uses national, international and direct-campaign sourcing to reach a broad candidate pool.

Population	Planned recruitment action	Institutional mechanism	Public evidence
Students with disabilities	Targeted admission route and 50% scholarship for applicants with special needs.	Declaration at application; Special Needs Students Committee review and interview; individually tailored adjustments; specialised orientation.	E03, E16, E17
Socioeconomically disadvantaged students	Partial scholarships for orphans, high achievers and other eligible applicants; financial aid for limited resources.	Admissions and financial-aid processes reduce the cost barrier at entry and support continuation.	E07, E13
Regional and international students	Recruitment beyond Bahrain with application, HEC, visa and immigration assistance.	Directorate of International Relations; published international route; Gulf-student recruitment and mobility routes.	E07, E08
Professional staff	Bahrainisation and inclusive public recruitment across administrative and professional roles.	Approved manpower plan, multiple sourcing channels, public vacancy portal and equal-opportunity selection.	E02, E04, E05
Academic faculty	National and international sourcing for qualified academics, including overseas recruitment and direct campaigns.	Dean/Director and HR-led advertising, agency sourcing, university visits, employment fairs, screening and documented selection.	E02, E04, E05

Public evidence: E01 | E02 | E03 | E04 | E05 | E07 | E08

1.1 Alignment with the THE requirement

THE Indicator 10.6.3 asks whether the university takes planned actions to recruit students, staff and faculty from underrepresented groups in 2024. THE guidance recognises programmes as one form of planned action and also accepts strategies, regulations and codes of conduct when they are linked to practical measures. Ahlia's evidence satisfies this action-based test through documented recruitment routes, funded scholarships, responsible units, sourcing methods, application procedures and public vacancy channels.

Public evidence: E01

2. Equity, diversity and accountable recruitment

In March 2024, the University Council approved Version 2.0 of the Equity and Diversity Policy. The policy expressly covers students, faculty and staff; recognises diversity across age, colour, disability, employment status, ethnic or national origin, language, family and marital status, race, religion or spiritual belief, gender and socioeconomic circumstances; and aligns the University's approach with SDGs 4, 5 and 10.

2.1 Student admission

The policy affirms the right to education without discrimination and requires qualified applicants to be selected without regard to race, colour, gender, religion, nationality or disability. This establishes the common equity standard within which targeted access measures operate.

2.2 Staff and faculty appointment

The same policy commits Ahlia to an effective recruitment policy based on equity, fairness and equal employment opportunity. Candidates for staff and faculty vacancies are identified and selected on qualifications, experience and merit. This commitment is implemented through the Human Resources recruitment process and the University's public vacancies channel.

Public evidence: E02 | E04 | E05

Figure 1. The 2024 Equity and Diversity Policy applies equal-opportunity recruitment to Ahlia staff and affirms non-discriminatory admission for students. Source: E02.

RECRUITMENT

Vacancies

TARGETED STUDENT RECRUITMENT

3. Disability-inclusive recruitment and admission

Ahlia's strongest targeted student-recruitment programme is its formal route for applicants with disabilities and special needs. The University Council approved Version 2.0 of the policy on 24 April 2024. It welcomes applicants with physical, sensory, learning and invisible disabilities, and students with chronic illnesses, to every programme for which their needs can be appropriately accommodated.

Stage	Practical recruitment and access measure
Application	Applicants declare a disability or special need in the relevant section of the application form, creating an identifiable route into the admissions process.
Specialist assessment	The standing Special Needs Students Committee reviews the application and supporting documents and interviews the applicant.
Individual planning	The Committee identifies the services, adjustments and support required for a smooth academic progression and may advise a programme better suited to the applicant's needs.
Admission and registration	The decision is transferred to the Directorate of Admission and Registration; accepted students are marked in ADREG so class lists flag the required support.
Transition	A specialised orientation introduces the student to accessibility features, services and staff who support the transition to university life.
Financial access	All applicants with special needs are offered a 50% scholarship, directly reducing the cost barrier to enrolment.

Public evidence: E03 | E15 | E17

3.1 Recruitment is linked to sustained participation

The recruitment route is credible because it is connected to funded, continuing support: accessible facilities, assistive devices, class and laboratory adjustments, examination arrangements, counselling follow-up, faculty briefings and annual evaluation of service effectiveness. Ahlia's current international-access page extends the same approach to incoming exchange students with disabilities through scholarships or tuition waivers, application support and a student buddy arrangement.

Public evidence: E03 | E16 | E17

Figure 2. The 2024 special-needs policy establishes a dedicated application, committee-review and support pathway for prospective students. Source: E03.

Directorate of Admission & Registration

Disability Policy

Persons With Disabilities

REMOVING FINANCIAL BARRIERS

4. Scholarships and targeted access for disadvantaged applicants

Ahlia uses funded tuition measures as recruitment instruments for applicants who may be excluded by cost or personal circumstance. These measures are communicated publicly and operate alongside the ordinary admission process.

Target group	Recruitment provision	Public implementation evidence
Applicants with disabilities	50% scholarship for all applicants with special needs under the 2024 policy.	The policy connects the scholarship to preparation for social and labour-market integration.
Orphans	Partial scholarship / 50% tuition support for eligible applicants registered through recognised welfare arrangements.	Ahlia's September 2024 public communication names orphans among the groups receiving partial scholarships.
High-achieving applicants	Partial scholarships and merit-related tuition reductions.	The September 2024 communication identifies high achievers among scholarship recipients while reporting increased new-student recruitment.
Applicants with limited financial resources	Institutional financial aid and tuition-remission arrangements described in the Student Handbook.	The handbook links financial support to admitted applicants and documented eligibility.

Public evidence: E03 | E07 | E13

4.1 2024 implementation

On 29 September 2024, Ahlia reported that it had attracted a greater number of new students for the forthcoming academic year and confirmed partial scholarships for high achievers, orphans, students with special needs and other eligible students. This public record demonstrates implementation of the planned access measures during the evidence year, not merely the existence of a general policy.

Public evidence: E07

Al-Moayyed: We have launched new programs aligned with labor market needs, and we are welcoming Gulf students

Mr. Farooq Al-Moayyed, Chairman of the Board of Directors – Arab Academy for Research and Studies (Ahlia University), praised the recent launch of several new undergraduate and master’s programs designed to meet labor market demands. He expressed his gratitude for the HEC support, led by Minister of Education Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak Juma. The General Assembly also recognized the University’s recent accomplishments in educational quality and international accreditations.

This announcement was made during the recent ordinary meeting of the General Assembly of the Arab Academy for Research and Studies, which owns Ahlia University, the Ahlia School, and Bahrain Institute of Technology. The meeting took place at Ahlia University in Manama on September 18, 2024. Al-Moayyed emphasized that these commendable achievements were made possible by the unwavering support that educational institutions receive from the government, which serves as a significant morale boost for all involved. He expressed his gratitude, on behalf of the University’s owners, leaders, faculty, and students, for the support received from the wise leadership of His Majesty the King and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

Prof. Abdulla Al-Hawaj, Founding President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Ahlia University, confirmed that the University is confidently moving forward with plans to expand its graduate programs and launch new bachelor’s programs that are highly demanded in the job market, benefiting from the support of the Higher Education Council led by the Minister Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak Juma.

Al-Hawaj also highlighted the University’s success in attracting a greater number of new students for the upcoming academic year, along with the partial scholarships offered to high achievers, orphans, students with special needs, and others. Additionally, he provided an update on the construction of the new University campus in Salman City, which aims to reflect the University’s stature and contributions. The first phase of the campus project is expected to be completed within a year, with further phases planned for the next few years.

The Board of Directors updated the General Assembly on the academic and scientific achievements of Ahlia University, its financial status, and the ongoing efforts to complete the new campus in Salman City.

The General Assembly reaffirmed its confidence in Mr. Farooq Al-Moayyed as Chairman of the Board, Professor Abdullah Al-Hawaj as Executive Member, and Mr. Mohammed Ali Al-Naqi as Vice Chairman. Additionally, Dr. Muhannad Abdulla Dahlan, Dr. Bakr Ahmed Hassan, Ms. Fawziya Zainal, Dr. Ali Jafar Al-Aradi, Dr. Lulwa Al-Mutlaq, and Hamid Salman were elected as Board members.

50% scholarship to applicants with special needs

Figure 3. The 2024 policy provides a 50% scholarship to applicants with special needs and links financial access to inclusion in society and the labour market. Source: E03.

REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ACCESS

5. Recruitment beyond the domestic applicant pool

Ahlia recruits across national and cultural backgrounds through a dedicated international pathway. In 2024, the University publicly stated that it was welcoming Gulf students while launching programmes aligned with labour-market demand. Its international-student service provides a direct point of entry for applicants who would otherwise face unfamiliar documentation, immigration and transition requirements.

Barrier addressed	Recruitment and transition measure
Information and application navigation	Published international-student guidance, programme information and a dedicated Directorate of International Relations contact route.
Higher Education Council registration	Ahlia forwards accepted applications for the required HEC number and explains transcript authentication and endorsement requirements.
Visa and immigration	The international team assists accepted applicants with visa and immigration documentation.
Arrival in Bahrain	Meet-and-greet assistance, transport from the airport and initial accommodation guidance ease entry for international students.
Alternative access routes	Exchange, visiting-student and short-term study options broaden the channels through which international learners can join Ahlia.
Disability and mobility	The international-access service explicitly invites persons with disabilities to seek tailored assistance and provides a buddy arrangement for exchange participation.

Public evidence: E07 | E08 | E16 | E18

International Students

Exchange Opportunities for International Students

How to apply for Undergraduate Programmes

5.1 Institutional capacity

The 2024 Institutional Fact Sheet records a student population of 1,375, more than 6,200 alumni and a student-to-faculty ratio of 13:1. These figures provide institutional context for the recruitment and support system and show that the access routes operate within an established, internationally connected university.

Public evidence: E09

STAFF AND FACULTY RECRUITMENT

6. Planned actions for an inclusive workforce

Ahlia's Human Resources recruitment framework applies to all University functions and places responsibility on the HR Director, Deans and Directors. It combines a targeted national-employment objective with equal-opportunity selection and broad sourcing methods for professional staff and academic faculty.

6.1 Bahrainisation: targeted recruitment of national talent

The recruitment manual gives first employment preference to suitably qualified Bahraini nationals. Its Bahrainisation provision requires Ahlia to increase Bahraini representation in all functions by identifying and developing qualified Bahraini women and men for permanent positions and commits the University to initiatives that recruit and retain Bahraini nationals. This is a defined positive recruitment action linked to national workforce participation.

Public evidence: E04

6.2 Equal opportunity for diverse candidates

The 2024 Equity and Diversity Policy reinforces the HR framework by requiring fair, equitable and merit-based recruitment for staff. Ahlia's public careers page operationalises this commitment through an open application route for administrative, technical and academic positions and describes the University as an equal-opportunity employer committed to an inclusive and diverse work environment.

Public evidence: E02 | E05

Figure 4. Ahlia's recruitment framework includes Bahrainisation, equal employment opportunity and systematic selection for all University functions. Source: E04.

PRACTICAL RECRUITMENT DELIVERY

7. National, international and direct-campaign sourcing

Ahlia's recruitment programme is implemented through an integrated sourcing plan for each approved vacancy. Depending on the role and candidate pool, HR may use internal advertisement, professional networks and databases, the University website, newspapers, head-hunting, recruitment agencies and direct campaigns. Where a qualified candidate is not available in Bahrain, overseas recruitment may be used, giving academic and professional recruitment an international reach.

Action	How it widens recruitment	Accountability
Internal recruitment	Makes vacancies visible through official email and enables promotion or transfer of qualified existing employees.	Dean/Director, HR Director and President approvals.
Public advertising	Uses the Ahlia website and appropriate publications to reach national and international candidates.	Approved vacancy, defined job requirements and application deadline.
Networks and database	Draws on referrals and retained applications to broaden access to relevant candidates.	HR screening and maintained candidate records.
Recruitment agencies and head-hunting	Extends searches for specialist or senior roles beyond the immediate pool.	Presidential approval and HR monitoring.
Direct campaign recruitment	Permits university or academic-institution visits and participation in employment fairs.	Campaign applications enter the HR candidate database for review.
Overseas sourcing	Allows qualified international candidates to be considered when local supply is insufficient.	Dean/Director recommendation and presidential approval.

Public evidence: E04 | E05

Figure 5. The HR framework authorises direct recruitment through academic-institution visits and employment fairs and retains resulting applications in the candidate database. Source: E04.

GOVERNANCE AND QUALITY ASSURANCE

8. Oversight, monitoring and institutional responsibility

The recruitment actions are embedded in formal governance. Responsibility is distributed across the University Council, President, Human Resources Directorate, Deans and Directors, Directorate of Admission and Registration, Deanship of Student Affairs, Special Needs Students Committee, Directorate of International Relations and Equal Opportunity Committee.

Responsible body	Recruitment responsibility
University Council	Approves institutional equity, diversity and disability-access policies.
Human Resources Directorate	Plans recruitment, chooses sourcing channels, screens candidates, maintains recruitment data and administers the selection process.
Deans and Directors	Define staff and faculty requirements, approve job descriptions and participate in candidate assessment.
Directorate of Admission and Registration	Administers the common application route and implements decisions on applicants with special needs.
Special Needs Students Committee	Reviews declared needs, interviews applicants and identifies suitable programmes, adjustments and support.
Directorate of International Relations	Guides international applicants through application, HEC, immigration and transition requirements.
Equal Opportunity Committee	Mainstreams equal opportunity and is chaired by the President, with HR and female faculty representation.

Public evidence: E02 | E03 | E04 | E06 | E08 | E15

8.1 Measurement and continuous improvement

At the end of each employee recruitment cycle, HR compiles statistics on applications received and rejected, screening and testing, shortlisting, interview attendance, selections, accepted offers and successful probation. The special-needs admission system records accepted students in ADREG and conducts an annual survey to evaluate support and inform improvement. Together, these mechanisms connect recruitment action to evidence, review and future planning.

Public evidence: E03 | E04

PARTNERSHIPS AND OUTREACH

9. Building recruitment pathways with communities

Ahlia complements internal procedures with public engagement that makes higher education more visible and accessible to communities facing participation barriers. The 2024 Second Forum on Integrating Students with Special Needs brought schools, universities and community stakeholders together to exchange successful practices, assess institutional readiness and strengthen support for learners with disabilities.

The Forum continued an established partnership pathway with the Bahraini Association for Parents and Friends of the Disabled. The 2023 memorandum supports joint activities and participation and was expressly intended to enhance opportunities for students with disabilities to complete university education. Ahlia's current disability-access pages keep scholarships, tuition waivers, application support and accessible participation visible to prospective local and international students.

Public evidence: E10 | E11 | E12 | E16 | E17

9.1 Alignment with Bahrain's inclusion framework

The University's targeted disability-admission and scholarship measures operate within Bahrain's national commitment to the education, rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities. This national context reinforces the public purpose of recruiting qualified learners and employees whose participation might otherwise be constrained by disability-related barriers.

Public evidence: E19 | E20

Government Support

Regarding the care, rehabilitation, and employment of people with disabilities

CONTINUITY BEYOND THE EVIDENCE YEAR

10. Current operation and continued public access

Ahlia continues to maintain the recruitment pathways documented in 2024. Its public careers portal advertises administrative and academic posts and provides an online application route. The international-student service continues to guide applicants and support arrival, and the international disability page publicly offers scholarships or tuition waivers, accessibility support and a buddy arrangement for exchange students with disabilities.

Continuing public route	Evidence of current operation
Careers and vacancies	Open vacancies across administrative, technical and academic roles; an application form; and an inclusive equal-opportunity employer statement.
International applications	Dedicated application, HEC, visa, immigration, arrival and accommodation guidance.
International disability access	Published invitation to prospective persons with disabilities, direct assistance contacts and a peer-buddy support arrangement.
Equal opportunity governance	A standing President-chaired committee with Human Resources and female faculty representation.
Admissions information	Public admission policy, undergraduate application steps and Directorate of Admission and Registration contact channels.

Public evidence: E05 | E06 | E08 | E14 | E15 | E16 | E18

INSTITUTIONAL CONCLUSION

11. Conclusion

Ahlia University delivers a coherent set of planned actions to recruit students, staff and faculty from underrepresented groups. The evidence demonstrates funded and operational student-access schemes, including a 50% scholarship and specialist admission route for applicants with disabilities, partial scholarships for orphans and high achievers, financial assistance for eligible applicants, and a dedicated pathway for Gulf and international students.

For employment, Ahlia combines a Bahrainisation commitment for qualified Bahraini women and men with a 2024 equity framework, merit-based equal-opportunity selection, active public vacancies, national and international advertising, agencies, academic-institution visits and employment fairs. Governance and monitoring ensure that these actions are planned, implemented and reviewed across both professional and academic recruitment.

THE 10.6.3 criterion	Ahlia University evidence
Existence of planned actions	Targeted scholarships and disability admission; regional and international applicant support; Bahrainisation; multi-channel and direct-campaign recruitment.
Evidence provided	Council-approved 2024 policies, operational HR procedures, 2024 implementation records, public applicant services and active vacancy channels.
Public accessibility	Original Ahlia and official public sources are linked throughout this report and consolidated in the evidence register.

Public evidence: E01 | E02 | E03 | E04 | E05 | E07

FINAL CLASSIFICATION: YES — PLANNED RECRUITMENT ACTIONS ARE IN PLACE FOR STUDENTS, STAFF AND FACULTY.

PUBLIC EVIDENCE

12. Evidence register

The register below contains the original public source for every evidence item used in this report. Evidence E02, E03, E07, E09, E10 and E11 directly document the 2024 evidence year; later pages demonstrate continued operation of the recruitment routes.

ID	Original public source	Reporting use
E01	THE Sustainability Impact Ratings Methodology 2026, Version 2	Current indicator wording, 2024 evidence year and guidance on planned actions.
E02	Ahlia University Equity and Diversity Policy Version 2.0 (UC/P 685/2024)	Council-approved 2024 equity and diversity requirements for students, staff and faculty recruitment.
E03	Ahlia University Policy for Admitting and Supporting Students with Special Needs Version 2.0 (UC/P 693/2024)	2024 disability-sensitive application, committee review, orientation, support and 50% scholarship.
E04	Ahlia University Human Resources Policies and Procedures Manual - Recruitment	Bahrainisation, equal opportunity, manpower planning, sourcing, direct campaigns and recruitment monitoring.
E05	Ahlia University Careers and Vacancies	Public administrative and faculty vacancies, application route and inclusive-employer statement.
E06	Ahlia University Equal Opportunity	Equal Opportunity Committee, governance membership and institutional initiatives.
E07	Ahlia University: New programmes, Gulf recruitment and partial scholarships, 29 September 2024	2024 evidence of increased new-student recruitment, Gulf outreach and scholarships for named target groups.
E08	Ahlia University International Students	International application, HEC, visa, immigration, exchange, arrival and accommodation assistance.
E09	Ahlia University Institutional Fact Sheet 2024	2024 institutional context: student population, alumni and student-to-faculty ratio.
E10	Ahlia University: Second Forum on Integrating Students with Special Needs in Higher Education Institutions, 25 September 2024	2024 public forum on integration of students with special needs.
E11	Ahlia University: Inspiring change through special-needs integration in higher education, 2024	2024 implementation and stakeholder engagement on disability inclusion in higher education.
E12	Ahlia University memorandum with the Bahraini Association for Parents and Friends of the Disabled, 9 April 2023	Community partnership to enhance education opportunities for students with disabilities.
E13	Ahlia University Student Handbook	Financial aid and tuition provisions for applicants facing financial or personal barriers.
E14	Ahlia University Admission Policy	Public institutional admission framework.
E15	Ahlia University Directorate of Admission and Registration	Responsible admissions unit and applicant contact route.
E16	Ahlia University Persons with Disabilities - international and exchange access	Current disability-inclusive international recruitment, scholarships and buddy support.
E17	Ahlia University Disability Policy	Current public disability-policy and access information.
E18	Ahlia University: How to Apply for Undergraduate Programmes	Published undergraduate application route.
E19	Kingdom of Bahrain National Portal: People of Determination	Official national framework for participation of persons with disabilities.
E20	Kingdom of Bahrain Law No. 74 of 2006 on the Welfare, Rehabilitation and Employment of Persons with Disabilities	Official Bahrain legislation on welfare, rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities.

End of submission report