10.6.3

Institutional Commitment

Canadian University Dubai (CUD) is committed to expanding access to higher education and employment opportunities for individuals from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds.

The University recognises that equitable participation requires more than a general commitment to non-discrimination. Financial hardship, disability, displacement and other structural barriers can limit opportunities for individuals to enter higher education or participate in employment.

CUD addresses these barriers through targeted student scholarship programmes, inclusive admissions arrangements, refugee education initiatives, and institutional policies promoting fair and inclusive staff recruitment.

These measures support the University's wider commitment to diversity, equal opportunity and reducing inequalities.

During 2025, CUD's planned recruitment and access initiatives included financial hardship scholarships, scholarships for Students of Determination, a newly announced commitment to provide 50 fully funded scholarships for refugee students, and equal-opportunity recruitment procedures for academic and administrative employees.

1. Planned Recruitment and Access Measures for Underrepresented Students

CUD maintains structured scholarship arrangements intended to improve access to higher education among eligible students who experience financial or disability-related barriers.

The University's Scholarship Policy establishes formal categories of assistance, procedures for assessing eligibility and institutional responsibilities for awarding scholarships.

Overview of Targeted Student Recruitment and Access Initiatives

These arrangements are intended to support the recruitment, admission and continued participation of students who may otherwise experience barriers to university education.

2. Financial Hardship Scholarship — Reducing Socioeconomic Barriers

CUD provides a Financial Hardship Scholarship for eligible students who demonstrate financial difficulty.

The objective of this scholarship is to promote access to higher education among students whose financial circumstances may otherwise restrict their educational opportunities.

Planned Action

The University makes need-based tuition assistance available to eligible applicants and students through an established scholarship application and financial assessment process.

The Financial Hardship Scholarship may provide a tuition reduction of up to 40%, subject to eligibility and individual assessment.

Recruitment and Access Mechanism

The process includes:

• Public availability of scholarship information.
• Applications from eligible prospective and enrolled students.
• Submission of documentation demonstrating financial hardship.
• Individual financial assessment.
• Review by the Scholarship Committee.
• Tuition assistance awarded in accordance with applicable scholarship conditions.

Financial documentation may include household salary statements, bank statements, rental agreements and other relevant information.

These measures provide a structured approach for identifying students experiencing economic disadvantage and offering assistance with the costs of higher education.

Supporting Institutional Policy

CUD's Scholarship Policy (FR-PO-9A) explicitly recognises that financial limitations should not prevent students from obtaining an education.

Scholarship eligibility is open to students of any citizenship who satisfy the relevant admission and scholarship conditions.

This provision supports access for financially disadvantaged students from diverse national backgrounds.

Reported Admissions Outcome — 2024–25

CUD's institutional admissions records report the following:

These figures provide evidence of participation among financially disadvantaged students within the reported undergraduate admissions population.

The admissions data are distinct from the number of students receiving Financial Hardship Scholarships. They provide contextual information concerning access to higher education rather than a direct count of scholarship beneficiaries.

3. Students of Determination Scholarship — Disability-Inclusive Access

Canadian University Dubai recognises that students with disabilities may experience additional barriers to entering and completing higher education.

The University maintains a dedicated Students of Determination Scholarship as part of its approved scholarship framework.

Planned Action

The scholarship provides targeted financial assistance to eligible applicants with documented disabilities or special educational needs.

CUD's public scholarship information identifies a tuition reduction of up to 40% for eligible Students of Determination, subject to the University's applicable scholarship terms and individual assessment.

Recruitment and Access Mechanism

The initiative supports students through:

• Dedicated scholarship eligibility for Students of Determination.
• Individual consideration of academic circumstances.
• Assessment of supporting disability-related documentation.
• Case-by-case consideration of applicable scholarship requirements.
• Access to relevant academic and student-support services.

The Scholarship Policy expressly allows case-by-case consideration of course-load requirements for students receiving disability-related scholarship assistance.

This recognises that students may require different study arrangements to participate effectively in higher education.

Reasonable Accommodation

CUD's Non-Discrimination Policy (GM-PO-1N) commits the University to providing reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities.

The policy recognises equal access to education, employment and university services.

The Students of Determination Scholarship and accessibility provisions together provide a targeted institutional framework for supporting eligible applicants with disabilities.

4. Refugee Education Initiative — 2025 Commitment to 50 Full Scholarships

In November 2025, CUD publicly announced an initiative to expand access to higher education for refugee students.

The announcement formed part of the University's collaboration involving UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and Brand Me Summit 2025.

Planned Action

CUD announced a commitment to provide 50 fully funded scholarships for 50 refugee students.

The initiative was presented in connection with the Aim Higher refugee education campaign, which promotes access to higher education among displaced individuals.

Rationale

Refugee and displaced students often experience barriers to university education associated with displacement, disrupted schooling, financial insecurity and limited access to educational resources.

The scholarship initiative aims to address educational access challenges by making funded opportunities available to eligible refugee students.

Initiative Details

The initiative is a targeted planned action to support an underrepresented student group.

The announcement establishes the University's scholarship commitment; it is not presented as confirmation that all 50 awards had already been disbursed or that 50 recipients had completed enrolment during 2025.

5. International Access and Scholarship Eligibility

CUD's student recruitment framework includes opportunities for eligible applicants from different national backgrounds.

The University's Scholarship Policy establishes that scholarships are open to eligible students irrespective of citizenship.

This provision allows prospective students of different nationalities to seek institutional financial assistance where they meet the applicable criteria.

Reported International Student Participation — 2024–25

CUD's institutional records include the following data:

These figures demonstrate scholarship participation among first-year international students from developing countries.

The reported group is broader than students originating exclusively from World Bank-classified low- and lower-middle-income countries.

The figures are presented as evidence of international participation and scholarship support, rather than proof that all recipients were recruited through a separately targeted developing-country recruitment programme.

6. Planned Actions for Inclusive Staff and Faculty Recruitment

CUD's commitment to reducing inequalities also extends to employment.

The University maintains formal employment policies that establish equal-opportunity principles and recruitment procedures intended to prevent discriminatory treatment.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

CUD's Employment Policy (FS-PO-5B) was reviewed and updated on 13 March 2023.

The policy expressly establishes equal employment opportunity regardless of characteristics including:

• Age.
• Race and colour.
• National origin and citizenship status.
• Disability.
• Religion.
• Gender and sex.
• Sexual orientation.
• Gender identity or expression.
• Marital status.
• Other personal characteristics recognised in the policy.

The policy applies to recruitment and hiring at the University.

Planned Recruitment Procedures

The Employment Policy establishes formal recruitment processes, including:

1. Identification and authorisation of positions under workforce planning procedures.
2. Establishment of job requirements and relevant qualifications.
3. Recruitment advertising and collection of applications.
4. Candidate screening and review.
5. Selection committee interviews.
6. Institutional approval of employment appointments.

The policy requires fair and consistent recruitment and selection methods.

These procedures support equitable consideration of applicants from different demographic and professional backgrounds.

7. Gender-Inclusive Staff Recruitment

CUD's staff gender equality commitments provide a further basis for inclusive recruitment.

The University's published Staff Gender Equality Policy, effective from May 2022, identifies actions intended to improve gender balance in recruitment, retention and career progression.

Recruitment-Related Measures

The University's publicly documented gender equality provisions describe:

• Reviewing recruitment procedures to identify gender-related barriers.
• Using gender-sensitive language in job advertisements.
• Considering relevant career circumstances when evaluating applicants.
• Addressing gender imbalance in employment and decision-making.
• Supporting fair access to career development and progression.

These measures are intended to reduce barriers affecting participation and advancement among women and other employees.

The Gender Equality Policy provides for periodic review by the Gender Equality Committee under the applicable institutional governance arrangements.

8. Recruitment of International and Diverse Faculty and Staff

CUD's Employment Policy provides for recruitment through standard international advertising sources.

The University seeks appropriately qualified candidates according to the professional and academic requirements of each position.

Its employment procedures include the verification of qualifications and relevant government clearances.

International Recruitment Arrangements

The University's documented recruitment framework includes:

• Advertising positions through international recruitment sources.
• Evaluating candidates on qualifications and experience.
• Applying equal-opportunity principles irrespective of national origin.
• Administering relevant employment documentation.
• Supporting eligible international recruits under applicable employment and relocation arrangements.

These procedures enable CUD to consider qualified candidates from different national backgrounds.

International recruitment is one component of the University's diverse workforce strategy. It is not presented as a separately verified targeted recruitment programme for a specific ethnic or refugee group.

9. Institutional Policies Supporting Inclusive Recruitment

CUD's planned recruitment and access measures are supported by approved institutional policies.

These policies provide a framework for supporting equitable recruitment and access across student and employee populations.

10. Institutional Responsibilities

CUD's recruitment and access initiatives involve several institutional functions.

These responsibilities support the implementation of scholarship programmes and fair recruitment procedures.

11. Monitoring and Reviewing Access Initiatives

CUD maintains institutional information relevant to the participation of different groups in higher education.

This includes:

• Gender-based applications and admissions information.
• Admissions data for financially disadvantaged students.
• Scholarship applications and awards.
• Disability-related student support information.
• International student participation.
• Recruitment and employment documentation.

The University's records provide information that can assist in reviewing educational access and employment opportunities.

For 2024–25, the reported figures concerning financially disadvantaged undergraduate entrants and first-year international students from developing countries provide examples of group-specific participation data.

These measures complement the University's planned recruitment initiatives.

12. Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 10 — Reduced Inequalities

CUD's targeted scholarships, refugee education initiative and equal-opportunity recruitment procedures support the objective of reducing barriers faced by disadvantaged and underrepresented groups.

These actions contribute to SDG Target 10.3, which promotes equal opportunity and the reduction of discriminatory practices.

SDG 4 — Quality Education

Need-based scholarships, disability-related student support and refugee education opportunities help widen access to higher education.

SDG 5 — Gender Equality

Gender-sensitive employment recruitment procedures and institutional equality commitments support fair opportunities for women and men.

SDG 8 — Decent Work and Economic Growth

Equal employment opportunity procedures support inclusive recruitment and fair access to professional opportunities.

SDG 17 — Partnerships for the Goals

The refugee education initiative involving UNHCR and external partners demonstrates how collaboration can support educational opportunities for vulnerable populations.

Institutional Commitment

Canadian University Dubai recognises that reducing inequalities requires deliberate action to address barriers affecting access to education and employment.

Through Financial Hardship Scholarships, Students of Determination Scholarships, refugee education initiatives and inclusive recruitment procedures, CUD supports opportunities for individuals from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds.

The University's 2025 announcement of 50 fully funded refugee scholarships provides a specific example of targeted educational recruitment and access.

These measures are complemented by its approved Non-Discrimination Policy, Scholarship Policy, Employment Policy and Staff Gender Equality Policy.

Together, they demonstrate CUD's commitment to fair opportunities and practical measures designed to expand participation in higher education and employment.

Responsible Offices: Office of Admissions, Office of Student Affairs, Scholarship Committee and Human Resources Department.

Primary Reporting Period: 2025, including academic year 2024–25.

Admissions Contact: admissions@cud.ac.ae

Human Resources Contact: hr@cud.ac.ae