SDG 5: Gender Equality

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To create a diverse, inclusive workplace and campus culture, SUAD is committed to becoming an exemplar in terms of Inclusion, Diversity, Equality and Tolerance. This is achieved through a number of initiatives that are underpinned by engagement with the external community and networks to promote the tenets of IDE&T in the UAE and beyond.

Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi is deeply committed to promoting gender equality through various initiatives and programs aimed at empowering women in education and beyond. The university fosters an inclusive academic environment that encourages female participation across all disciplines, particularly in STEM fields where women have historically been underrepresented. Through mentorship programs, workshops, and community outreach, the University actively supports women in their academic and professional pursuits. Additionally, the university, ensures that there is no discrimination accepted at any level of the organisation in order to ensure an equitable and harmonious, professional and ethical working environment for all. This is embedded in the code of practice and respective institutional policies. By championing gender equality, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi not only enhances educational outcomes but also helps shape future leaders who are equipped to drive positive change.

Tracking women’s applications, admissions, and graduation rates

The University tracks the number of female applications, offers and acceptance rates and admission rates to ensure that all relevant services and support are available to support them on their journey. The university also has metrics to track women’s likelihood of completing their degrees on time and have implemented strategies to support this. This data is available to all departments through a dedicated Power BI application.

Women’s Mentoring Schemes

The University offers several mentoring programs to support students achieve their academic, professional, and personal goals. These include a combination of all our mentoring schemes, both exclusive to females and not, leading to at least 70% of our participating students being females, either through receiving or providing mentoring support.

Since 2017, The Career Centre at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi has collaborated with Dior to promote gender equality through the Women@Dior & UNESCO Mentorship Programme. This unique international initiative empowers young women by providing mentorship from Dior talents and educational courses led by distinguished professors and guest speakers. The programme nurtures leadership skills, fosters creativity, and promotes gender parity through its core values of self-awareness, autonomy, inclusion, and sustainable development.

Participants also engage in the “Dream for Change” project, translating their learnings into impactful initiatives that empower young girls in their communities. Each year, the programme culminates with a global conference at UNESCO headquarters, celebrating sisterhood and promoting women’s leadership across over 60 countries. Applications are open to talented, ambitious young women committed to creating social impact, offering them a transformative journey that shapes the leaders of tomorrow.

SUAD’s Alumni Council

The Sorbonne University Alumni Council is proud to have a diverse membership, with 53% of its members being female. Leading the council is a female president, reflecting the university’s commitment to gender balance and empowering women in leadership roles.

SUAD’S Leadership and senior positions

At SUAD, promoting equality is a priority. To drive this, is the significant number of females holding leadership positions across the institution. While the university demonstrates its commitment to gender equality through its ratio of female to male staff which stands at around 50%, the true test of its commitment to gender balance lies in the unprecedented number of females in key positions. This includes the composition of the Board of Trustees of which 60% are female, and the fact that the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Board of Trustees are also both female, which is unique at both national and international levels. In addition, the university Vice Chancellor is female and 60% of the heads of Academic departments are female, while over 50% of the heads of administrative and academic support its departments are female. This represents and reflects a true dedication and commitment to female empowerment.

Non-Discrimination Principles at SUAD

Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi is committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment and does not tolerate discrimination in any form during the acceptance of students or the hiring of staff. This is embedded in all institutional policies which explicitly incorporate this non-discrimination principle, ensuring that all individuals are treated fairly, regardless of their gender, race, ethnicity, or any other characteristic. Sorbonne University strives to create a welcoming community that values the contributions of every member, enriching the academic experience for all.

Maternity and Paternity Policies

At Sorbonne, we are dedicated to supporting women in every aspect, including encouraging expectant mothers to engage fully and thrive within the university.

Female Employees are entitled for maternity leave with full pay for a period of up to 60 calendar days, up to one month prior to the expected delivery date, as per the UAE Labour laws.

For the 18 months following delivery female Employees are permitted to take two additional breaks each day for nursing the child, with no reduction of remuneration.

A parental leave policy is in place to support women by allowing fathers’ participation in childcare duties.

Childcare services

Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi provides retailer discount cards, including FAZAA, Entertainer, and MAZAYA, which feature discounts for nurseries and schools. This initiative indirectly supports staff and faculty by helping to alleviate childcare costs, demonstrating the university’s commitment to enhancing the well-being of its community.

Initiatives, Activities and Events

International Women in Mathematics Day

Department of Sciences and Engineering

In collaboration with the committee of women in mathematics, and organized by Sorbonne’s own Assistant Professor- Mathematics and CWM Ambassador in Lebanon and in the UAE, Dr.Lama Tarsisi. The conference serves as a platform to honour and recognise the exceptional contributions and achievements of women in the field of mathematics in commemoration of International Women in Mathematics Day celebrated worldwide every year during the month of May.

Research and Publications on Gender Equality

Women in Research for Sustainability

In the frame of the Go Green initiative, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi has created a series of short videos titled
“Women in Research for Sustainability”.

This series is aimed at giving the floor to Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi female researchers, who as key actors
of sustainability in their various fields of expertise, demonstrate that climate change is a broad issue that can be
tackled from different, yet complimentary approaches. Environmental Engineers, Physicists, Lawyers, Sociologists,
and Archival professionals, all these female researchers at SUAD are working towards creating an environment whereby we can all live in a more sustainable world.

Check Here

BOOK « Le Consentement au crible de la littérature #Metoo » – in coordination of Dr. Karine Germoni
EVENT – “Discours et trajectoires des femmes sur et dans le monde arabe” (symposium) (3—5 March 2024) – Dr. Karine Germoni
BOOK CHAPTER “The Impact of Labor Nationalization Policies on Female Participation Rates in the Arab Gulf” – Dr. Fatima Al Shamsi (https://doi.org/10.1142/9781783267347_0019)