SDG 5: GENDER EQUALITY

Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5) seeks to achieve **gender equality and empower all women and girls**. Within the university context, this commitment involves ensuring that access, retention, and completion of higher education take place under equitable conditions for all genders.

At Aliah University, the institution recognizes the importance of implementing policies and mechanisms that guarantee **women’s participation at every stage** of the educational process: from application and admission to the completion of academic programs. The university has made progress in the collection of **gender-based data**, the transparent publication of admission criteria and study conditions, and the establishment of affirmative actions that promote female inclusion in specific academic programs. This report analyzes how Aliah University contributes to the fulfillment of SDG 5, specifically in the monitoring of women’s application, acceptance, and study completion rates, as well as in the assurance of equal conditions for access and participation between men and women, reflecting the institution’s commitment to non-discrimination and educational equity.

5.3.2 Does your university as a body have a policy (e.g. an Access and Participation plan) addressing women’s applications, acceptance/entry, and participation at the university?

Directorate of Admission & Registration

Admission to AU is based on **merit**. We have a limited number of places available for each programme and suggest you apply well in advance of our deadlines. We hope you find all the information you need here.

Recruitment and Student Selection

Ahlia University offers high quality education which aspires to produce graduates who are distinguished by their professional competence, humanistic outlook and uncompromising ethics. Ahlia University admission policy is responsible for ensuring the following:

• Selecting students based on their academic ability and potential
• Providing students with accurate, transparent and consistent information
• Using appropriate methods to select suitable students for their chosen programme
• Selecting students that are committed and self-disciplined

Information to Applicants

Ahlia University materials are accurate, relevant, current, and accessible and provide information that will enable applicants to make informed decisions about their options. Ahlia University admission policy complies with the Bahraini Ministry of Education, Higher Education Council rules and regulations affecting the admission of students and credits transfer.

To provide transparency of information for applicants, the course information, entry requirements are advertised in the prospectus and the website. Furthermore, all Ahlia University course related information is available in the Student Guide to Higher Education in the Kingdom of Bahrain Booklet produced by the Bahraini Higher Education Council and all approved programmes are listed under the Bahraini E-government website.

Admission Policy

1. Introduction

Ahlia University (AU) offers high quality education designed to produce graduates who are distinguished by their professional competence, uncompromising ethics and responsible global citizenship. Applications are welcomed from all students regardless of **race, colour, gender, religion, nationality** or **physical or specific learning disabilities**. Admission to AU is selective and competitive based on academic achievements, and up to the limits of available seats as determined by the university.

2. Inclusiveness and Diversity

In line with Ahlia University’s core values which include **inclusiveness**, the University is committed to widening access and participation through outreach and financial aid. Admission is purely based on **merit** whereby AU strives to ensure a clear, fair, and equitable admission process, that leads to **diversity, and equal opportunity** for all learners.

3. Disability and Special Needs

Ahlia University welcomes students with disability and special needs to any program offered. Students with disability and special needs are identified as students with physical or specific learning/invisible disabilities that require additional support and care, in order to reach their full academic potential. Applicants are required to officially declare their disability or special need during the application stage by filling in the relevant section in the application form.

4. Selection and Offers

Ahlia University operates a clear and transparent framework for application, selection, and admission. The Deanship of Student Affairs is responsible for overseeing the selection and offer process via a centralized and dedicated constituent directorate. The Directorate of Admission and Registration is responsible for all operational aspects of the process and provides advice and support to prospective students. The selection and offer process is conducted in partnership with the academic departments in all colleges. An admission offer to Ahlia University is contingent on the applicant demonstrating sufficient academic preparation and potential for success.

ADMISSION

Admission Policy

Admission to Undergraduate Programs

To be eligible for consideration for admission at the undergraduate level, an applicant should normally hold a recently issued recognized secondary school certificate or its equivalent. The requirements for admission stated by the University are in all cases the minimum demanded for admission, and their fulfilment by a candidate does not automatically ensure his /her selection. Prior to enrolling at Ahlia University, citizens of non-GCC States should secure residence permits in the Kingdom of Bahrain; otherwise, their admission will be conditional and subject to being rescinded at the discretion of the University.

Recognized Secondary Certificates

• Bahraini secondary school certificate (Tawjihia).
• Secondary school certificates awarded by private secondary schools in the Kingdom of Bahrain provided such certificates are endorsed by the Bahraini Ministry of Education.
• Arab secondary school certificates awarded by Arab Ministries of Education. Where applicable, the streams of these certificates are given the same consideration as the Bahraini Tawjihia.
• Any other certificates recognized by the Bahraini Ministry of Education as equivalent to a Tawjihia certificate.

General Admission Requirements

To be eligible for consideration for admission for undergraduate programs, applicants must meet the following entry requirements set by the university in-line with Bahraini Higher Education Council requirements:

• The applicants must hold a recognized and endorsed secondary school certificate or its equivalent by the Bahraini Ministry of Education.
• The applicant must be medically fit for the academic program they wish to enroll in.

Program Specific Admission Requirements

The applicants who meet the following programme specific admission requirements will be admitted to the Ahlia University:

Registration Application Form

Online Application

Among the documents to apply for admission, there are the documents of "Undergraduate Programs Application Form" and "Master's Programs Application Form", where it can be seen that they apply for the gender, only to keep a record of the number of men and women who make the request.

The ’Undergraduate program application form’ is

The ’Postgraduate program application form’ is

Equity and diversity policy of Ahlia University

Ahlia University, as a higher education institution, is dedicated to upholding **equity** within its diverse community of students, faculty, and staff, in accordance with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This commitment aligns with Goal 4 (Quality Education), Goal 5 (Gender Equality), and Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

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 necessarily mean equal treatment as a range of interests impacting all parties need to be balanced.

I. Equity and diversity among the student body:

Ahlia University believes that all students, regardless of color, race, gender, nationality, religion, and physical or learning disability, have the right to the best educated. Admission to Ahlia University is selective based on prior academic achievement. The most qualified candidates—regardless of race, color, gender, religion, nationality or disability—will be selected to fill the available places. Ahlia University is committed to a discrimination-free learning environment for all students based on principles of fairness and equity.

II. 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. The university is committed to applying an effective recruitment policy that is based on the principles of equity and fairness, and equal employment opportunity. Supervisors and managers are expected to ensure that work-related decisions reflect principles of fairness and equity. The University mandates that members of the University community pay heed to applicable codes of conduct as well as to the University’s **Anti-Harassment Policy**.

WTUN Gender Equality Pledge

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.