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.

5.6.6 Does your university as a body have women's mentoring schemes, in which at least 10% of female students participate?

Facts & Figures

Source: Ahlia University Annual Report 2018-19

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.

Source: Ahlia University Equal Opportunity

Equal Opportunity Plan

• To promote the principle of equal opportunity through gender-responsive policy design that achieves coherent linkage with the national legislative/policy framework within the context of multilevel (international, nationally, organisational) policy frameworks on inclusion, equal opportunity and women empowerment.
• To empower women by integrating their needs in development programmes.
• To foster a safe and supportive work environment that ensures work-life balance, life-long learning, and competitiveness for women.
• To collaborate with allies and partners to mainstream the culture of equal opportunity to society at large.
• To support national strategies as a progressive and model organization for women.

Initiative 1

• Develop a systematic and sustainable approach to equal opportunity and women empowerment through institutionalization of practice.
• Create a centralized advisory body to oversee progress and institutionalize practice
• Employ a targeted approach vis-à-vis professional development, capacity-building, and up-skilling programs to redress gender imbalance issues

Initiative 2

• Leverage partnerships for knowledge sharing and exchange of best practice in the areas of equal opportunity and women empowerment.
• Organize conferences/symposia with a focus on equal opportunity and/or women topics
• Develop a common understanding and framework with local and international partners on topics related to equal opportunity and women in STEM

Initiative 3

• Champion the principle of equal opportunity through awareness campaigns, activities, and events.
• Plan and organize women-focused events for students and staff
• Develop gender-responsive policies that foster work-life balance and life-long learning
• Develop and utilize data collection instruments to gauge and measure awareness/impact

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.

Numbers in SDG5 Gender Equality

Source: Ahlia University Sustainable Development Goals

The AU Mentorship Programme

Ahlia mentorship programs are created to offer an ambitious platform that endeavor to offer a dynamic and lively learning atmosphere while being inclusive in involving all types of stakeholders of both genders.

The University takes pride in being able to give its students the opportunity to be paired with an experienced industry, academic or alumni mentor, through one of our four mentoring programs.

Sources: Ahlia University Mentorship Programme, AU Mentorship Program PDF

Mentorship Programmes Offered

1. Alumni Mentoring Programme:

Through this program you will engage with AU Alumni professionals who have a wealth of expertise across a wide range of fields and sectors, thus you will be able to develop professional connections and networking, gain an expert advice on where to apply and how, and hear a real-life example from someone who was previously in your shoes. Available to all undergraduate students.

2. Industry Mentoring Programme:

This program is available to all undergraduate students who will get the opportunity to learn from an industry figure who will reflect on ways of improving one's different skills to ensure post-graduation professional growth.

3. Academic Mentoring Programme:

This program is available to all undergraduate students who will get the opportunity to learn from an industry figure who will reflect on ways of improving one's different skills to ensure post-graduation professional growth.

4. Entrepreneur Mentoring Programme:

This program is available to all undergraduate students and would be a great opportunity for aspiring young Bahraini to learn from an established and successful entrepreneur.

The Fifth Conference on Equal Opportunities

The Fifth Conference on Equal Opportunities organized jointly by Ahlia University and Brunel University London focuses on the important theme of 'Partnership, Fairness & Competitiveness.'

• Women win all research awards at the 13th PhD Conference

Source: AN-Issue36.pdf (ahlia.edu.bh)

Entrepreneurship for the Future Generation

Source: Ahlia University Events

Women Entrepreneurs: 'The Entrepreneurial Journey Towards Success'

Created in 2008, Global Entrepreneurship Week is considered as the world's largest celebration of the innovators, entrepreneurs, and economists who collaborate to drive economic growth and expand human welfare.

During one week each November, more than 160 countries celebrate the week by hosting thousands of events and competitions inspiring millions to engage in entrepreneurial activities and connecting them to potential collaborators, mentors, and investors.

Supported by many world leaders and a network of 10,000 partner organizations, each year GEW empowers roughly 25 million people through more than 25,000 activities.

Global Entrepreneurship Week is organized by Global Entrepreneurship Network and powered by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

Source: Ahlia University Women Entrepreneurs Event

A MENTORSHIP SESSION FOR FEMALE ENGINEERING STUDENTS' SUPREME COUNCIL FOR WOMEN

Event Details

Start Date: 27/12/2017

Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Location: Ahlia University' Theater 1

As part of this initiative, they held an interactive session to inform female students about the opportunities and challenges women face in the engineering sector. External Speakers: Mr. Mohammed AlMasqati' GPIC

The College of Engineering hosted a mentorship session organised by the Supreme Council for Women (SCW). For the celebration of the Bahraini Women's Day this year the SCW is endorsing women's role in engineering. As part of this initiative, they held an interactive session to inform female students about the opportunities and challenges women face in the engineering sector.

Source: Ahlia University Events