10.6.5

Institutional Commitment

Canadian University Dubai (CUD) is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive university environment in which students, faculty, staff and members of the wider university community are treated with dignity and respect.

The University recognises that meaningful equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) requires dedicated institutional responsibility, coordination across academic and administrative departments, and accessible mechanisms for supporting individuals who may experience barriers to participation.

To support these objectives, CUD maintains a designated Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Officer, together with EDI, Counselling and Disability Support functions.

These arrangements provide an institutional structure for addressing inclusion-related matters, supporting People of Determination, coordinating with relevant university departments and promoting equitable participation in university life.

The University's EDI framework is supported by its formal Non-Discrimination Policy and its institutional values of Accountability, Sustainability, People, Inclusion, Respect and Excellence (ASPIRE).

1. Designated Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Officer

Canadian University Dubai has appointed Ms. Simran Siddiqui as its Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Officer.

Ms. Siddiqui heads the University's Counselling Office and oversees the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Disability Support offices.

Her role includes coordination with Student Affairs and Human Resources to ensure that EDI and disability-related matters are addressed across relevant levels of university management.

This arrangement establishes an identifiable institutional point of responsibility for equity, diversity, inclusion and disability support.

EDI Officer — Contact and Access Information

The University provides these contact channels so that members of the university community can seek information, guidance and assistance concerning EDI and disability-related matters.

2. Role and Institutional Responsibilities

CUD's EDI Officer serves as a designated point of coordination for the University's equity, diversity and inclusion commitments.

The role brings together student-support functions and collaboration with relevant administrative offices.

Principal Areas of Responsibility

The EDI Officer's role reflects CUD's recognition that inclusion requires both individual support and cooperation across institutional departments.

3. Institutional EDI Governance Framework

CUD's approach to equity, diversity and inclusion involves several complementary offices and university functions.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Office

The EDI function provides an institutional focal point for diversity, inclusion and equal-opportunity matters.

It supports the University's wider commitment to maintaining an environment founded on fairness, respect and inclusive participation.

Disability Support Office

The Disability Support Office provides assistance for students with disabilities, including Students of Determination.

It supports the identification of individual needs and coordination of appropriate academic accommodations.

Counselling Office

The Counselling Office provides student wellbeing and personal support services, helping students manage challenges that may affect their university experience.

Its leadership by the EDI Officer connects counselling provision with wider institutional inclusion and accessibility functions.

Student Affairs

Student Affairs contributes to student welfare, campus engagement and support services.

Coordination with the EDI Officer helps connect relevant student concerns with institutional support functions.

Human Resources

Human Resources administers employment policies and procedures, including applicable non-discrimination and employee-relations arrangements.

Its collaboration with the EDI Officer contributes to the consideration of inclusion within relevant university operations.

Summary of Institutional Coordination

Together, these functions establish an institutional framework through which EDI matters can be addressed beyond a single office.

4. Disability Inclusion and Academic Accommodation

CUD recognises that students with disabilities may require individual accommodations to participate effectively in university education.

The Disability Support Office, overseen by the EDI Officer, contributes to the University's provision of disability-related assistance.

Students with documented physical, psychological, learning or other relevant challenges may be considered for academic accommodations on an individual basis.

Examples of Academic Accommodations

Depending on documented needs and applicable arrangements, support may include:

• Additional time during examinations.
• Assistive technology.
• Specialised learning resources.
• Note-taking support.
• Adjusted or reduced-distraction examination environments.
• Individual guidance and counselling.
• Coordination with relevant academic staff concerning approved accommodations.

These measures aim to reduce barriers and support equitable educational participation.

Individualised Support

CUD's approach recognises that the support required by each student may differ.

Students requiring accommodation can contact the Disability Support Office to discuss their circumstances and applicable support arrangements.

The University considers individual needs and relevant documentation when determining appropriate assistance.

This approach complements CUD's formal institutional commitment to reasonable accommodation.

5. Institutional Non-Discrimination Policy

The University's EDI framework is supported by its formally approved Non-Discrimination Policy (GM-PO-1N).

Policy Information

Equal Opportunity and Inclusion

The policy establishes CUD's commitment to equality, diversity, fairness, inclusion and respect.

It recognises multiple characteristics of diversity, including:

• Age.
• Gender.
• Race and ethnicity.
• National origin.
• Religion.
• Disability and status as a Person of Determination.
• Socioeconomic status.
• Marital status.
• Pregnancy and maternity.
• Cultural background.

The policy states that admission, employment, educational programmes and extracurricular activities are to be administered without discrimination.

Reasonable Accommodation

The approved policy commits CUD to providing reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to education, employment and university services for individuals with disabilities.

This provides an institutional policy foundation for the work of the Disability Support Office and other relevant university functions.

Reporting Discrimination and Harassment

The Non-Discrimination Policy establishes procedures for reporting concerns involving discrimination and harassment to the Director of Human Resources.

The University commits to investigating complaints and taking appropriate action where violations are identified.

These formal reporting provisions complement the University's EDI and student-support functions.

6. Education and Training on Inclusion and Professional Conduct

CUD recognises that an inclusive institutional environment requires awareness, education and appropriate professional conduct.

The University's Non-Discrimination Policy includes a commitment to providing diversity and inclusion education and awareness programmes each semester.

The University's public EDI information also identifies employee professional learning opportunities delivered through TES Global.

Employee Learning and Awareness

CUD describes employee access to online professional training that includes:

The University's public EDI information identifies safeguarding training as part of employee orientation requirements.

The platform also provides opportunities for continued professional learning on workplace conduct and related institutional responsibilities.

These training arrangements complement CUD's formal policies on non-discrimination, harassment prevention and ethical behaviour.

7. Inclusive Campus Environment

CUD's EDI and Disability Support functions operate within a wider institutional commitment to accessibility and inclusive participation.

The University provides accessibility infrastructure and student-support arrangements intended to reduce barriers for People of Determination.

These include:

• Accessible entrances and circulation routes.
• Ramps and step-free access.
• Elevators serving university facilities.
• Designated accessible parking.
• Accessible washrooms.
• Wheelchairs available at designated service points.
• Individual academic accommodation arrangements.

The Disability Support Office provides a contact point for students who need guidance regarding relevant support services.

These arrangements demonstrate the relationship between institutional EDI responsibilities and practical accessibility measures.

8. Engagement with the University Community

CUD encourages members of the university community to contribute to equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Students, faculty and staff may engage with relevant university offices concerning:

• Inclusive campus participation.
• Accessibility and disability support.
• Diversity-related educational activities.
• Student wellbeing.
• Awareness and professional conduct.
• Opportunities for community participation and collaboration.

The University's EDI Officer provides an identifiable contact point for relevant enquiries and coordination.

Individuals interested in contributing to EDI initiatives may contact the University's EDI function through edi@cud.ac.ae.

9. Institutional Accountability and Coordination

CUD's EDI framework combines formally approved institutional policies with named administrative responsibility and operational student-support functions.

This structure demonstrates how CUD combines institutional commitment, designated responsibility and practical support in its approach to EDI.

10. Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 10 — Reduced Inequalities

CUD's EDI Officer and supporting institutional offices contribute to the promotion of inclusion and the reduction of barriers affecting participation in university life.

These arrangements support SDG Target 10.2, which promotes the social and economic inclusion of all individuals.

SDG 4 — Quality Education

Disability support, academic accommodations and inclusive educational practices contribute to equitable participation in higher education.

SDG 5 — Gender Equality

The University's Non-Discrimination Policy and EDI governance arrangements support equal opportunities and respect across gender backgrounds.

SDG 16 — Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Designated institutional responsibilities, formal non-discrimination policies and reporting procedures contribute to accountability and fair treatment.

Institutional Commitment

Canadian University Dubai maintains a designated Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Officer, supported by EDI, Counselling and Disability Support functions.

Ms. Simran Siddiqui serves as the EDI Officer, overseeing these functions and coordinating with Student Affairs and Human Resources to ensure that inclusion-related and disability-support matters receive attention across the University's management structure.

The role is supported by CUD's Board-approved Non-Discrimination Policy, student-support arrangements and institutional education and training provisions.

Together, these measures demonstrate CUD's commitment to maintaining an inclusive university environment and providing an identifiable institutional structure for equity, diversity and inclusion.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Officer: Ms. Simran Siddiqui

Office: HUB 1 – 05

Telephone: +971 4 709 6292

Email: Simran.Siddiqui@cud.ac.ae

General EDI Contact: edi@cud.ac.ae

Student Counselling Contact: StudentCounsellor@cud.ac.ae

Supporting Policy: Non-Discrimination Policy (GM-PO-1N), approved 10 May 2024

Reporting Reference: 2025.