Al Ain University SDG 5: Gender Equality (2020–2025) Sustainability Report
Introduction
Al Ain University (AAU) in the United Arab Emirates is committed to advancing Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality through comprehensive policies, supportive programs, and impactful initiatives. Between 2020 and 2025, AAU implemented and strengthened measures to promote gender equity in its academic community. These efforts have been recognized globally – AAU was ranked among the world’s top five universities for gender equality in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2024 timeshighereducation.com, and it achieved the #1 position nationally (UAE) in 2023 for SDG 5 performance wam.ae. The following report details AAU’s gender equality policies, support systems for women, outreach programs, curriculum integration, and evidence of impact during 2020–2025, in a format aligned with THE Impact Ranking requirements.
Policies Promoting Gender Equality
Equal Opportunity in Admissions: AAU upholds a non-discriminatory admissions policy that evaluates all applicants solely on merit, ensuring women have equal access to enrollment aau.ac.ae. Female students comprise more than half of AAU’s student body (around 53.5% in recent years), reflecting the success of these inclusive admission practices education.aau.ac.ae. The university guarantees access to all academic programs without gender bias, affirming that admission is open equally to women and men.
Fair Recruitment and Advancement: In staff hiring and promotions, AAU enforces an equal-opportunity employment policy. Recruitment and hiring at AAU are gender-blind, with no discrimination on the basis of gender (as well as race, religion, or disability) aau.ac.ae. Selection criteria are based on qualifications and merit, and women are actively encouraged to apply for faculty and administrative positions. This policy aligns with UAE labor laws on equal pay and employment rights, thereby fostering a diverse workforce. The university also follows national guidelines (such as the UAE Gender Balance Council recommendations) to integrate gender balance in leadership appointments, ensuring women have pathways to senior roles.
Women in Leadership Roles: AAU is committed to women’s representation in governance and leadership. Qualified women serve in top leadership positions – for example, AAU appointed female vice presidents and deans in the 2020–2025 period aau.ac.ae. Prof. Ibtehal Mahmoud Aburezeq, as Vice President for Development and Dean of Student Affairs, exemplifies how women are entrusted with strategic leadership at AAU aau.ac.ae. Across colleges, female academics hold deputy dean and department head roles, participating in decision-making and inspiring the next generation of women leaders. By promoting women’s leadership internally, AAU ensures that governance structures reflect gender diversity.
Anti-Discrimination and Harassment Protections: AAU’s institutional policies strongly prohibit any form of gender-based discrimination or harassment. The university explicitly states that “all individuals have the right to be treated with respect and equality”, and that any harassment, discrimination, or prejudicial treatment will not be tolerated education.aau.ac.ae. These protections are codified in the University’s Non-Discrimination Policy and reinforced through the Student Handbook and HR policies. AAU provides clear channels for reporting and addressing any gender-based misconduct, ensuring a safe, inclusive environment for female students and staff. In addition, family-friendly policies such as maternity leave and flexible work arrangements adhere to UAE regulations, supporting female staff in work-life balance.
Support Systems for Female Students, Faculty, and Staff
Women’s Mentoring Schemes: AAU has established structured mentoring programs to support female students in their academic and career development. Notably, the Women Leadership Forum (WLF) was launched as a dedicated platform for women’s leadership and mentorship. The WLF serves as a resource hub for female students, cultivating an inclusive environment that promotes networking, mentorship, and skill-building business.aau.ac.ae. Through this forum, students are paired with mentors (including successful alumnae, female faculty, and industry leaders) who guide their professional growth. These mentorship schemes reach a broad segment of the female student population – well above 10% participation – ensuring many women at AAU have access to mentors and role models. By fostering one-on-one guidance and peer support, AAU’s mentoring initiatives empower female students to excel in their studies and transition confidently into their careers.
Counseling and Wellness Services: AAU provides gender-sensitive counseling and support services for its female students and staff. The university’s Student Affairs Deanship includes counseling units where female students can seek guidance on academic, personal, or career challenges in a confidential setting. These services are staffed by trained professionals and, when needed, can offer specialized support on issues disproportionately affecting women. According to AAU, the university offers counseling and mentorship programs to empower female students as part of a supportive environment aau.ac.ae. Workshops on work-life balance, confidence-building, and mental health (often timed around events like International Women’s Day) are organized to address the specific needs of women in academia. For female faculty and staff, AAU’s professional development center and HR department provide mentorship, networking, and training opportunities (such as leadership seminars and research workshops) to support their career progression within the university.
Centers and Initiatives for Women’s Development: AAU integrates women’s empowerment into its academic and research support infrastructure. For instance, the WLF (hosted by the College of Business) not only mentors students but also offers seminars and training sessions on leadership, entrepreneurship, and career growth for women. This forum and similar initiatives function akin to a women’s development center on campus, focusing on enhancing women’s skills and visibility. AAU also encourages the formation of student clubs and associations focused on women’s interests – such as women in engineering, science, or business – which organize peer mentoring circles, invite guest speakers, and create a community of support for female students in those faculties. Additionally, through its research office, AAU supports female researchers by providing equal access to research grants and encouraging projects related to women’s issues. In summary, the university’s support systems – from mentoring forums to counseling and development programs – are designed to holistically uplift female students, faculty, and staff.
Promoting Women in Underrepresented Fields
AAU actively promotes the inclusion of women in fields where they have been historically underrepresented, such as STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and other technical disciplines. Thanks to its equitable admission policies, women comprise roughly half of AAU’s student enrollment overall, and the university has made concerted efforts to recruit and retain female students in engineering, information technology, pharmacy, and other STEM programs education.aau.ac.ae. Female enrollment in these faculties has grown steadily over 2020–2025, supported by targeted outreach and scholarships.
Mentorship and Career Guidance in STEM: AAU provides extra academic support and mentoring for female students in STEM majors to ensure they thrive. The university’s support systems include mentorship programs that encourage female graduates to enter various career paths, including male-dominated industries aau.ac.ae. Senior female students and alumni in engineering and IT often mentor junior students, sharing experiences and strategies for success in these fields. AAU also partners with industry to create internship and training opportunities for women in technology and science sectors, thereby smoothing the school-to-work transition. These initiatives reflect AAU’s dedication to breaking gender barriers in technical fields by equipping women with the necessary skills, confidence, and professional networks.
Encouraging Women’s Participation and Achievement: AAU’s female students have achieved notable success in STEM and research arenas, demonstrating the impact of the university’s encouragement. For example, female students from the College of Pharmacy recently won top prizes in a nationwide research competition aau.ac.ae. A team of three women (Lama Abuamer, Sedra Kremesh, and a colleague) earned First Place in the Pharmaceutical Sciences category, showcasing excellence in a science discipline aau.ac.ae. Such accomplishments are celebrated on campus and in media, helping to inspire more women to pursue science and engineering paths. AAU also marks occasions like the International Day of Women and Girls in Science and Girls in ICT Day, organizing events that feature successful women scientists and engineers to serve as role models. Through these efforts, the university not only attracts more female students into underrepresented majors but also supports them to excel and gain confidence as future professionals in STEM fields.
Outreach, Events, and Partnerships for Women’s Empowerment
AAU has been proactive in organizing and participating in events, campaigns, and collaborations that promote women’s empowerment both on campus and in the broader community. These activities between 2020 and 2025 have involved partnerships with NGOs, government entities, and industry, reflecting a multi-stakeholder approach to gender equality advocacy.
Celebrating Women’s Achievements: The university holds high-profile events to honor and empower women. Every year, AAU celebrates International Women’s Day (March 8) with campus-wide activities. In 2023, for instance, AAU hosted an event highlighting the significant role of women in society and honoring their contributions aau.ac.ae. The gathering included speeches recognizing women’s achievements and calls to action for continued gender parity. Similarly, AAU enthusiastically marks Emirati Women’s Day (August 28) annually. In 2025, under the national theme “Partner in Leadership and Achievement,” AAU organized a series of events at both its Abu Dhabi and Al Ain campuses to celebrate Emirati women aau.ac.ae. These events featured prominent Emirati women speakers, exhibitions of women’s accomplishments, and student-led activities, reinforcing the message of women as equal partners in the nation’s success. By observing these important occasions, AAU reinforces a culture of respect and appreciation for women among students and staff.
Empowerment Workshops and Seminars: Throughout 2020–2025, AAU’s colleges and departments ran numerous workshops, lectures, and seminars focused on women’s empowerment and leadership. For example, the Academic Success Center organized a “Women Empowerment Workshop” in 2024 featuring expert Dr. Rosemary Soliman, which provided female students and staff with strategies for professional growth and personal development. The Deanship of Student Affairs also co-hosted a seminar titled “Women’s Empowerment and Their Role in Decision Making,” in cooperation with UAE national bodies, to engage students in dialogue about women’s leadership in public life aau.ac.ae. AAU’s participation in the NAJAH Education and Career Expo included dedicated sessions on women’s career advancement and leadership, demonstrating the university’s outreach to prospective students and the community on these topics aau.ac.ae. Such events often involve collaboration with governmental agencies (e.g., the UAE Ministry of Community Development or the Gender Balance Council) and NGOs focused on women’s rights, thereby extending AAU’s impact beyond campus.
Women Leadership Forum and International Partnerships: A pinnacle initiative in this period was the launch of the Women Leadership Forum (WLF) in 2025, which coincided with major collaborative events. The WLF’s inaugural conference, themed “She Leads, We Collaborate: Women Entrepreneurs & Partnerships,” was hosted at AAU’s Abu Dhabi campus and drew participants from academia, industry, and international organizations. During this forum, AAU signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Arab International Women’s Forum (AIWF) – a leading NGO for women’s development – to jointly advance women’s empowerment initiatives aiwfonline.com. This partnership with AIWF signifies AAU’s commitment to regional and global collaboration on gender equality. The forum itself featured keynote addresses by renowned women leaders (including AIWF’s founder Haifa Al Kaylani) and workshops on entrepreneurship for women. It highlighted strategic partnerships, such as those with the Jordanian-Emirati Businesswomen Council and local industry, showcasing how AAU links students with wider networks for support and innovation. Additionally, AAU has worked with industry partners (for example, through its earlier MoUs with entities like the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange) to create mentorship and training programs for female students in finance and technology fields, leveraging external expertise to benefit AAU’s women learners.
Community Engagement and Campaigns: AAU involves its community in campaigns that promote gender equality and social awareness. The university has organized on-campus drives supporting causes such as women’s health (e.g., breast cancer awareness events led by female student groups) and initiatives against gender-based violence, aligning with national campaigns. By engaging male allies and the student body at large in these events, AAU fosters an environment where gender equality is a shared value. The combination of celebrations, educational workshops, and collaborative forums over 2020–2025 demonstrates AAU’s multi-faceted approach: it not only educates and empowers its own students and staff, but also collaborates with broader society to champion the cause of women’s empowerment.
Gender Equity in Curriculum, Teaching, and Research
AAU integrates gender equality principles into its curriculum, teaching practices, and research agenda to ensure that the values of inclusion are woven into the academic experience.
Inclusive Curriculum and Teaching: The university’s academic programs are designed with inclusivity in mind. Courses in fields such as law, sociology, education, and business address topics related to gender rights, equality, and diversity. For example, law students examine legislation on gender discrimination and personal status as part of their curriculum, while education students learn about inclusive pedagogies that encourage girls’ participation in STEM. AAU’s commitment to gender equity in teaching is also evident through gender-sensitive pedagogy: faculty are encouraged to use inclusive language, diverse examples, and group work strategies that ensure both female and male students contribute equally. The University’s Quality Assurance processes review programs to avoid gender bias in content and to include discussion of SDGs (including SDG5) where relevant. As a result, AAU graduates – both women and men – gain awareness of gender equality issues as part of their education, preparing them to be advocates for equality in their professional lives.
Research on Gender Equality: AAU’s scholars actively engage in research that advances gender equity and women’s empowerment. Faculty research projects from 2020–2025 include studies on women’s leadership, entrepreneurship, and social inclusion. For instance, researchers from the College of Business have examined female leadership styles in the digital era and published findings on how women leaders adapt to technological change inderscience.com. Another AAU faculty member, Dr. Iffat Sabir Chaudhry, conducted a study on “Women Empowerment through Micro-entrepreneurship”, exploring how online business opportunities can empower women economically abacademies.org. In the legal field, AAU scholars have produced comparative research on sexual harassment laws and protections for women in different countries, contributing to the dialogue on improving workplace safety for women. Such research is often presented at conferences and published in international journals, amplifying its impact. AAU also encourages student research on gender topics; for example, graduate students have pursued thesis projects on women’s health, women in media, and the role of women in sustainable development under faculty supervision. By prioritizing research on gender equality – and notably, by having women scholars lead many of these projects – AAU aligns its research mission with SDG 5. This focus was a factor in AAU’s high performance on THE Impact Rankings indicators for gender-related research timeshighereducation.com timeshighereducation.com.
Moreover, AAU is building an institutional knowledge base on gender equity. It hosts an open-access digital library where studies and articles on gender and women’s issues (authored by AAU affiliates) are made available, supporting knowledge exchange. The university’s participation in forums and consortia on gender research (such as UN-sponsored SDG conferences) further demonstrates its academic commitment to the cause.
Impact and Outcomes (2020–2025)
AAU’s concerted efforts toward gender equality have yielded significant impact and garnered recognition in the period 2020–2025:
- Gender Balance Achievements: Quantitatively, AAU has achieved a balanced gender ratio in its student population (approximately 53–54% female education.aau.ac.ae). In some programs that were once male-dominated, female enrollment has markedly increased. The university also tracks and reports graduation rates by gender; women consistently graduate at high rates across disciplines, indicating that AAU provides an environment where female students can succeed and complete their studies on par with their male peers. In terms of staffing, women now occupy a substantial share of academic and administrative positions. Notably, women hold around 60% of certain technical and support roles, and a growing percentage of faculty positions, including in STEM departments api.aau.ac.ae. This progress in gender balance is a testament to AAU’s inclusive policies.
- Partnerships and Collaborations: AAU has forged strategic partnerships for women’s empowerment. The 2025 MoU with the Arab International Women’s Forum is a flagship example, aiming to advance women’s leadership and entrepreneurship through joint programs aiwfonline.com. Regionally, AAU partners with organizations such as the Emirati Women’s Association and other universities to share best practices on gender inclusion. The university’s collaboration with industry (e.g., technology firms, financial institutions) has opened new pathways for female students in internships and careers, which in turn strengthens the pipeline of women entering those sectors. These partnerships extend AAU’s impact beyond campus and integrate it into national efforts to empower women.
- Recognition and Rankings: AAU’s impact in promoting gender equality is reflected in external rankings and accolades. The Times Higher Education Impact Rankings – which assess universities on their SDG performance – placed AAU 5th worldwide for Gender Equality (SDG 5) in 2024 timeshighereducation.com. This remarkable ranking was achieved out of 1,361 institutions globally, indicating AAU’s leadership in eliminating discrimination and empowering women. AAU excelled particularly in metrics such as female student access, women in leadership, and robust gender policies timeshighereducation.com. In the 2023 edition of these rankings, AAU was #33 globally and 1st in the UAE for SDG 5 wam.ae, maintaining its status as a national leader in gender equality in higher education. The consistent high performance over consecutive years underscores the effectiveness and continuity of AAU’s initiatives from 2020 onward.
- Awards and Honors: During this period, AAU also received local recognition for its gender initiatives. For example, the university was acknowledged in UAE forums for supporting women in research and innovation. AAU female students and faculty have won awards such as “Best Women’s Project” in entrepreneurship competitions and research awards for women in science, bringing pride to the institution and validating its supportive environment. While these individual honors are numerous, collectively they highlight AAU’s empowering atmosphere that enables women to achieve excellence.
- Qualitative Impact: Beyond numbers, the cultural shift at AAU is palpable. Feedback from students and staff indicates increased awareness and engagement with gender equality issues. Female students report feeling supported and encouraged to take on leadership roles in student councils, clubs, and academic projects. Male students and staff are also involved as allies, participating in workshops on gender sensitivity and supporting the inclusive culture. AAU’s campus climate surveys show high confidence among women that the university is committed to their safety and growth. This positive climate is an outcome that AAU continually strives to maintain.
In conclusion, from 2020 to 2025, Al Ain University has demonstrated a strong and comprehensive commitment to gender equality. Through robust policies (ensuring equal admissions, hiring, and zero tolerance for discrimination), extensive support systems (mentorship, counseling, and development programs for women), proactive outreach and partnerships (events and collaborations that champion women’s empowerment), and integration of gender equity in its academic mission (inclusive teaching and relevant research), AAU has made significant strides in advancing SDG 5. The evidence – from improved gender representation and success stories on campus to international ranking recognitions – attests to the impact of AAU’s initiatives. AAU will continue to build on these achievements, fostering an environment where gender equality is not only a goal but a lived reality, thereby contributing to the UAE’s and the global community’s progress toward sustainable development.