Goal 5 / 5.3 / 5.3.2

University Policy on Women’s Access and Participation

Policy for Women’s Applications, Entry and Participation

DIRECT RESPONSE: YES

Ahlia University has a public institutional policy framework that addresses women’s applications, acceptance and entry, and participation. The framework combines the Revised Admission Policy with the University Council-approved Equity and Diversity Policy, Version 2.0. Together they guarantee gender-inclusive applications, merit-based selection, equal opportunities for genders, annual monitoring of access and participation, a fair appeal route, and a discrimination-free academic and non-academic learning environment.

evidence: E01 • E02 • E03

INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSE

1. Ahlia University meets Indicator 5.3.2

THE Indicator 5.3.2 asks whether a university has a policy addressing women’s applications, acceptance, entry and participation, and whether that policy was created or reviewed during 2020–2024. [E01] Ahlia University meets these requirements through two complementary public policies: the Revised Admission Policy, approved in 2021, and the Equity and Diversity Policy, Version 2.0, approved by the University Council on 27 March 2024. [E02] [E03]

The Admissions Policy governs the complete application-to-entry pathway. It welcomes applications without distinction by gender, selects on academic achievement and potential, commits to widening access and participation through outreach and financial aid, and requires equal opportunities for genders and underrepresented groups. The Equity and Diversity Policy carries this commitment into university life by requiring gender-neutral selection for available places and a discrimination-free environment for academic and non-academic participation.

Indicator element	Ahlia University commitment	Primary evidence
Women’s applications	Applications are welcomed regardless of gender; public application channels and requirements are available to prospective students.	E02, E04, E06–E09
Acceptance and entry	Selection is merit-based under clear requirements, equal opportunities for genders and a transparent offer process.	E02, E03, E05, E07
Participation	Academic and non-academic participation is protected through an explicit discrimination-free learning commitment and universal student services.	E03, E05, E12–E14
Fair review and redress	Admission-denial appeals, student complaints and non-retaliation protection provide routes to challenge decisions or unequal treatment.	E02, E05, E16
Policy currency	The Admissions Policy was approved in 2021; Equity and Diversity Policy Version 2.0 was approved in March 2024.	E02, E03
Governance and monitoring	Student Admission Committee review, annual access-and-participation monitoring and the Equal Opportunity Committee sustain implementation.	E02, E10

evidence: E01 • E02 • E03 • E04 • E05 • E10

Directorate of Admission & Registration

ADMISSION POLICY

Equal Opportunity

POLICY FRAMEWORK

2. A coordinated access and participation framework

Ahlia University’s approach is institutional and continuous. The policy framework does not create separate academic standards for women; it removes gender as a barrier while applying the same published academic criteria and procedural safeguards to every applicant. It also recognises that access extends beyond receiving an offer: admitted women must be able to participate fully in teaching, student activities, representation, guidance, support and institutional decision-making.

Policy instrument	Authority and date	Application and entry commitments	Participation commitments
Revised Admission Policy	University Council; 15 July 2021; UC/P 517/2021	Applications regardless of gender; merit selection; clear and equitable process; accurate information; equal opportunities for genders.	Widening access and participation through outreach and financial aid; annual monitoring; periodic policy review.
Equity and Diversity Policy, Version 2.0	University Council; 27 March 2024; UC/P 685/2024	Most qualified candidates selected for available places regardless of gender and other protected characteristics.	Discrimination-free academic and non-academic educational participation based on fairness and equity.
Equal Opportunity governance	Equal Opportunity Committee chaired by the President; standing public governance route	Gender-responsive policy design and institutionalisation of equal opportunity.	Women empowerment, capacity-building, awareness, partnerships and impact measurement.
Student-facing regulations and services	2024 handbook and standing directorates	Published procedures, entry requirements, documents, fees, aid, orientation and advice.	Counselling, academic advising, activities, student voice, complaints, accessibility and protection from retaliation.

evidence: E02 • E03 • E04 • E05 • E10 • E11

EDI POLICY

2.1 Gender equality is embedded at each decision point

Application: gender is expressly excluded as a basis for restricting who may apply.
Selection: prior academic achievement, academic ability and potential are the published bases for decision-making.
Entry: applicants receive accurate, transparent, consistent and timely information and have a right to appeal admission denial.
Participation: women are protected in both academic and non-academic educational life.
Continuation: advising, counselling, financial aid, activities, representation and complaints mechanisms support participation throughout study.

APPLICATIONS, ACCEPTANCE AND ENTRY

3. The Revised Admission Policy guarantees gender-inclusive access

The Revised Admission Policy begins with an express institutional commitment: applications are welcomed from all students regardless of race, colour, gender, religion, nationality, or physical or specific learning disability. Admission is selective and competitive according to academic achievement and the number of available places. [E02]

Its Inclusiveness and Diversity section commits Ahlia University to widening access and participation through outreach and financial aid. It defines admission as merit-based and requires a clear, fair and equitable process that supports diversity and equal opportunity for all learners. This establishes a single academic standard for women and men while providing institutional measures that widen opportunity.

3.1 Transparent selection and offers

The Deanship of Student Affairs oversees selection and offers. The Directorate of Admission and Registration manages the operational process and provides advice and support to prospective students, working with academic departments across the colleges. The policy requires motivated students to be selected according to academic ability and potential and requires applicants to receive accurate, transparent, consistent and timely information.

3.2 Equal opportunity, appeal and annual monitoring

The Compliance section requires formal arrangements, clear entry requirements and equal opportunities for genders, students with special needs and underrepresented groups. Applicants denied admission or transfer are informed of their right to appeal, and the policy states that an applicant making an appeal will not face discrimination or prejudice. The admission process is monitored annually to ensure appropriate access and participation, while the Student Admission Committee reviews the policy and may propose changes for University Council approval.

evidence: E02 • E04

Control	Responsible body	Equality effect
Published admission criteria	Directorate of Admission and Registration	Every applicant can identify the same academic and documentary requirements before applying.
Centralised selection and offer process	Deanship of Student Affairs and academic departments	Consistent institutional decision-making across colleges and programmes.
Admission-denial appeal	University admission governance	Applicants may seek review without discrimination or prejudice.
Annual access and participation monitoring	Student Admission Committee and University governance	Policy operation is reviewed against access, participation, student performance and stakeholder feedback.

PRIMARY POLICY EVIDENCE

4. Admission Policy evidence extract

The extract below shows the policy’s direct treatment of gender-inclusive applications, widening access and participation, merit-based selection, transparent information and the centralised selection-and-offer process.

Exhibit 1. Ahlia University Revised Admission Policy, page 1 of 2 (UC/P 517/2021).

PARTICIPATION POLICY

5. The 2024 Equity and Diversity Policy protects women’s participation

Ahlia University’s Equity and Diversity Policy, Version 2.0, was approved by the University Council on 27 March 2024. It explicitly aligns institutional equity with SDG 5 and includes gender among the characteristics through which diversity, acceptance and belonging are recognised. [E03]

For the student body, the policy connects entry and participation in one direct provision. It states that the most qualified candidates will be selected to fill available places regardless of gender and other listed characteristics. It then commits Ahlia University to a discrimination-free learning environment throughout academic and non-academic educational participation, based on fairness and equity.

Policy dimension	2024 commitment	Effect for women
Recognition	Gender is expressly included within the University’s understanding of diversity.	Women are explicitly within the protected institutional community.
Admission	The most qualified candidates are selected for available places regardless of gender.	Gender cannot displace the published academic basis for selection.
Academic participation	The learning environment must be discrimination-free and governed by fairness and equity.	Women participate in teaching, assessment, advising and academic development under equal protection.
Non-academic participation	The same discrimination-free commitment applies to non-academic educational life.	Women participate in clubs, activities, representation, events and student voice.
Institutional scope	The policy applies across the diverse community of students, faculty and staff.	Equality is an institution-wide governance obligation rather than a programme-level initiative.

evidence: E03 • E11

PRIMARY POLICY EVIDENCE

6. Equity and Diversity Policy evidence extract

The linked 2024 policy is self-contained evidence of both the entry and participation requirements: gender-neutral selection for available places and a discrimination-free academic and non-academic learning environment.

Exhibit 2. Equity and Diversity Policy, Version 2.0, student-body provisions across pages 1–2 (UC/P 685/2024).

evidence: E03

PUBLIC ADMISSION GUIDE

7. Published procedures and entry information are accessible to all applicants

Ahlia University gives prospective women the same direct access to admission information and application mechanisms as every other applicant. The Directorate of Admission and Registration page acts as a public gateway to the Admission Policy, Equity and Diversity Policy, application route, undergraduate and postgraduate requirements, transfer pathways, special-needs provisions, attestation, placement testing, orientation and programme information.

Information required by applicants	Public Ahlia resource	Published content
Application mechanism	Online application and Apply Now	Electronic route to submit an application and select the relevant level or programme.
General eligibility	How to Apply	Recognised secondary-school qualification and English-language proficiency routes.
Documents and application fee	Fresh Applicants	Application form, photographs, passport, ID, school certificate, transcript, medical report and BD 20 application fee.
Selection and offer mechanism	Revised Admission Policy	Merit basis, transparent information, academic ability and potential, responsible units and offer framework.
Programme-specific conditions	2024 Undergraduate Student Handbook	Entry thresholds, conditional acceptance and programme-specific requirements across the colleges.
Registration and completion	2024 Undergraduate Student Handbook	Registration, academic standing, withdrawal, grading and graduation requirements.
Fees, discounts and aid	2024 Undergraduate Student Handbook	Payment rules, merit discounts, high-achiever discounts and financial aid provisions.
Advice and enquiries	Directorate of Admission and Registration	Published telephone, email, location, opening hours and direct support for prospective students.

evidence: E04 • E05 • E06 • E07 • E08 • E09 • E21

How to apply for Undergraduate Programs

Admission

How to Apply for Master’s Programs

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMMES – Fresh Applicants

APPLY NOW

7.1 Equal conditions for women and men

The public guides describe applicant, qualification and programme requirements without separate or more restrictive conditions for women. The gender equality commitment comes from the governing policies: women’s applications are welcomed, selection is merit-based, equal opportunities for genders are required, and successful applicants enter a participation environment protected by the 2024 Equity and Diversity Policy.

PARTICIPATION AND CONTINUATION

8. Participation is supported from transition to graduation

Ahlia University operationalises the policy through student-facing structures that are open to all students and therefore include women. The 2024 Undergraduate Student Handbook brings these arrangements together as a single guide covering admission, registration, financial support, counselling, academic advising, special-needs support, activities, student voice and complaints.

Participation route	Institutional provision	Contribution to women’s participation
Transition into study	Orientation in English and mathematics for accepted students who require preparation.	Builds study readiness at the point of entry.
Academic advising	Every student is assigned an academic advisor to guide programme planning, progress and academic decisions.	Supports progression and timely resolution of academic difficulties.
Counselling and guidance	Academic, psychological, social and career guidance, an open-door counselling relationship and referral where required.	Provides inclusive, confidential support for barriers affecting study and wellbeing.
Student activities	All students have the right to participate in activities coordinated through Student Affairs.	Extends equality into co-curricular, cultural, social, scientific and sporting life.
Student representation	All eligible full-time students may stand for Student Council; members are elected by fellow students.	Gives women access to formal voice, leadership and service-development roles.
Student feedback	Surveys and course evaluations are collected and analysed through institutional systems.	Allows women’s experience to inform service and learning improvement.
Complaints and enquiries	ADREG routes complaints and enquiries to Student Affairs; staff provide advice and resolution.	Creates an accessible route to raise participation barriers or unequal treatment.

evidence: E05 • E12 • E13 • E14 • E18

Student Representation

Deanship of Student Affairs

Directorate of Student Services & Activities

Directorate of Student Counseling & Advising

Orientation Program

8.1 Financial and accessibility measures

The Admissions Policy identifies financial aid as a widening-participation mechanism. The 2024 handbook publishes merit discounts and targeted aid, while the Disability Policy provides a dedicated admission committee, guidance, adaptive arrangements and support for students with disabilities. These measures operate alongside the gender-equality framework so that women facing financial or disability-related barriers can access relevant support.

evidence: E02 • E05 • E15

Disability Policy

GOVERNANCE AND IMPLEMENTATION

9. Governance sustains equal opportunity and protects participation

Ahlia University’s Equal Opportunity Committee forms part of the University’s governance structure and is chaired by the President. Its purpose is to mainstream equal opportunity, diversity and inclusivity in alignment with Bahrain Vision 2030 and SDG 5. Its publicly stated agenda includes gender-responsive policy design, institutionalisation of equal opportunity, women’s development, partnerships, awareness and measurement of impact.

Governance mechanism	Function	Women’s access and participation effect
University Council	Approves institutional policies, including the 2021 Admissions Policy and 2024 Equity and Diversity Policy.	Places women’s access and participation within formal University authority.
Student Admission Committee	Monitors the admission process annually and reviews policy using performance and stakeholder feedback.	Maintains attention to appropriate access and participation.
Equal Opportunity Committee	Oversees and advises on equal-opportunity issues and includes female faculty representation.	Provides a central governance route for gender-responsive policy and women empowerment.
Deanship of Student Affairs	Oversees admission, student support, counselling, services, activities and voice.	Connects the policy promise to daily student participation.
Non-retaliation and conduct protections	Protect complainants and prohibit discriminatory or harassing use of University electronic systems.	Enables women to raise concerns and participate without intimidation or reprisal.

evidence: E02 • E03 • E10 • E14 • E16 • E17

Non Retaliation Policy

Part of the Harrassment Policy Electronic Virtual Aspects

Ahlia policies against sexual or other harassment apply fully to the e-mail system, and any violation of those policies is grounds for discipline up to and including discharge. Therefore, no e-mail messages shall be created, sent, or received if they contain intimidating, hostile, or offensive material concerning race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability or any other classification protected by law.

Material that is fraudulent, harassing, embarrassing, sexually explicit, profane, obscene, intimidating, defamatory, or otherwise unlawful, inappropriate, offensive (including offensive material concerning sex, race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, or other characteristic protected by law), or violating Ahlia 's equal employment opportunity policy and its policies against sexual or other forms of harassment may not be downloaded from the Internet or displayed or stored in Ahlia 's computers. Employees encountering or receiving this kind of material shall immediately report the incident to their supervisors or the Human Resources section.

9.1 Dated implementation in the 2024 evidence year

The 2024 policy revision was accompanied by continuing institutional dialogue on equal opportunity. Ahlia University’s Seventh Equal Opportunities Conference on 7 February 2024 included sessions on gender equality and artificial intelligence and on women’s likelihood of appointment to senior positions in Bahrain’s public sector. The conference programme also brought together contributors from Ahlia University, Bahrain’s Education and Training Quality Authority, research organisations and regional and international universities.

evidence: E03 • E19

INTEGRATED EVIDENCE STATEMENT

10. Policy-to-student-journey matrix

The integrated framework covers every part of the indicator. The policy commitments below are public, institution-wide and connected to named operational units and student-facing procedures.

Student journey stage	Binding or standing commitment	Operational evidence	Original sources
Application	Applications welcomed regardless of gender.	Online application, How to Apply and admissions advice.	E02, E04, E06–E09
Eligibility	Clear, fair and equitable process; accurate and timely information.	Published qualifications, English proficiency, documents and fee.	E02, E05–E07
Selection	Merit, academic achievement, ability and potential; equal opportunities for genders.	Centralised selection with colleges and the Directorate of Admission and Registration.	E02, E03, E04
Offer and entry	Transparent offer process and right of appeal without discrimination or prejudice.	Admissions decision, appeal route, orientation and registration.	E02, E05, E18
Academic participation	Discrimination-free academic educational environment.	Advising, counselling, learning support, student feedback and complaints.	E03, E05, E14, E16
Non-academic participation	Discrimination-free non-academic educational environment.	Activities, clubs, volunteering, Student Council and representation.	E03, E05, E12, E13
Monitoring and review	Annual monitoring for appropriate access and participation; policy review.	Student Admission Committee, Equal Opportunity Committee and University Council.	E02, E03, E10

10.1 Institutional conclusion

Ahlia University has a policy framework addressing women’s applications, acceptance and entry, and participation. The Revised Admission Policy establishes gender-inclusive application, merit-based selection, equal opportunity, transparent information, appeal and monitoring. The 2024 Equity and Diversity Policy expressly protects women in selection and throughout academic and non-academic participation. Public admissions guidance translates these commitments into accessible procedures, conditions, documents, fees and support routes, while Student Affairs, counselling, representation, disability support and redress mechanisms sustain participation after entry.

Official answer for THE Indicator 5.3.2: YES.

Original public evidence: E01 • E02 • E03 • E04 • E05 • E10

ORIGINAL PUBLIC EVIDENCE

11. Evidence register

Every entry below links to the original public source. No previous-year SDG report or Ahlia indicator summary page is used as evidence.

ID	Original source	Direct relevance
E01	THE Sustainability Impact Ratings Methodology 2026	Defines Indicator 5.3.2, the 2024 policy date requirement and the evidence criteria.
E02	Ahlia University Revised Admission Policy (UC/P 517/2021)	Gender-inclusive applications, merit selection, widening participation, equal opportunity, appeals and annual monitoring.
E03	Ahlia University Equity and Diversity Policy, Version 2.0 (UC/P 685/2024)	University Council-approved 2024 policy covering gender-neutral selection and discrimination-free academic and non-academic participation.
E04	Directorate of Admission and Registration	Public admissions hub, policy links, applicant information, routes for undergraduate and postgraduate applicants and contact support.
E05	Undergraduate Student Handbook (25 June 2024 edition)	Student-facing admission, programme, registration, fees, aid, counselling, advising, activities, voice and complaint provisions.
E06	How to Apply for Undergraduate Programmes	Online application route, recognised qualifications and English-language requirements.
E07	Undergraduate Programmes – Fresh Applicants	Entry conditions, required documents and the published BD 20 application fee.
E08	Ahlia University Online Application	Direct electronic application mechanism for prospective students.
E09	Ahlia University Apply Now	Public entry point to undergraduate, postgraduate and hosted programme applications.
E10	Equal Opportunity at Ahlia University	Equal Opportunity Committee, gender-responsive policy aims, women empowerment and institutional governance.
E11	Equity and Diversity Policy web page	Accessible public summary of the 2024 policy and links to the full University Council-approved text.
E12	Student Representation	Student Council, democratic student voice and gender-neutral eligibility for all full-time students.
E13	Directorate of Student Services and Activities	Right of all students to participate in activities and institutional support for student representation.
E14	Directorate of Student Counseling and Advising	Inclusive academic, psychological, social and career guidance with an open-door counselling route.
E15	Disability Policy	Admission and continuing-participation support for students with disabilities and special needs.
E16	Non-Retaliation Policy	Protection for students and employees who raise concerns or participate in investigations.
E17	Harassment Policy – Electronic and Virtual Aspects	Applies anti-harassment protections to electronic systems, including conduct concerning sex and other protected characteristics.
E18	Orientation Programme	Transition support in English and mathematics for accepted undergraduate students who require preparation.
E19	Seventh Equal Opportunities Conference programme – 7 February 2024	Dated 2024 implementation evidence including sessions on gender equality and women in senior public-sector roles.
E20	Ahlia University Institutional Fact Sheet 2024	Institutional scale, academic offering and quality-assurance context for the 2024 evidence year.
E21	Ahlia University Student Handbook page	Public student-facing route to current handbook information and regulations.