EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION (EDI) POLICY

APU is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and diverse community that fosters equality and promotes respect for all individuals regardless of their race, color, ethnicity, national origin sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, socioeconomic status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. We value the unique perspective and experiences that diversity brings and believe that an inclusive environment enhances learning, research, and innovation. By embracing a diverse community of voices, we are better able to address sustainability challenges within vulnerable communities.

EDI GOALS:

To create an inclusive community that is based on dignity, respect, and accountability, where everyone finds space to be themselves and to realize their potential irrespective of differences in cultural background, race, and ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, identity, beliefs, or skills and abilities.

RESPONSIBILITY:

The Management Board (attendees from Research, University, Professional Services and Students) is accountable for ensuring the Policy is implemented. All members of the university community share the responsibility to comply with this policy, treat others with dignity and respect and contribute to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment. The equality and diversity activity are managed through key committees and implemented via formal policies, guidance and plans. The responsibility of equality and diversity extends beyond the University to also include subsidiary companies and collaborative partnerships.

APU APPROACH:

1. We seek to develop trust and openness, to create safe spaces for dialogue that explores differences, to achieve mutual understanding and respect.
2. We will strive to promote talent, regardless of background recognizing that everyone has equal access to the same opportunities.
3. We will strive to ensure that no requirements or conditions are imposed that could disadvantage individuals on any of the above grounds unless justifiable by means of achieving a legitimate aim.
4. We will ensure policies and procedures including but not limited to, those dealing with flexible working, disciplinary, absence and complaints will be applied in a non-discriminatory way and will be assessed to ensure equality needs are met.

POLICY AIMS:

The University requires its staff, students, partners and suppliers:

1. To be proactive in promoting equality by embracing, valuing, and recognizing difference, through the implementation of a wide-ranging equality action plan that tackles all facets of inequality and discrimination, creating genuine equality of opportunity and outcomes, and promoting good relations between people of different groups and a commitment to paying equal pay for work of equal value,
2. To recognize the negative impact on mental health of colleagues who have been affected by discrimination, hear their lived experiences, and provide support,
3. To educate our communities of staff, students, and researchers to be advocates of social justice (related to delivering a socially engaged curriculum in a general manner across the school),
4. To work with our student community to decolonize our curriculum content, and grow other areas of inclusivity to address and welcome diversity,
5. To work with our student community to decolonize our curriculum content, and grow other areas of inclusivity to address and welcome diversity,
6. To ensure fair and inclusive access to resources, facilities, programs, and services, strengthened by inclusive policies and practices,
7. To ensure recruitment and selection processes for faculty, staff and student positions will be conducted in a fair and unbiased manner, ensuring equal opportunity for all qualified applicants.
8. To address intergroup disparities in representation, attainment, and continuation, with a focus on intersectionality,
9. To ensure all learning and teaching, training, and personal development – assessment criteria, performance reviews, and development will be applied in a non-discriminatory manner and to actively promote equality; and outcomes and processes will be reviewed to ensure that indirect discrimination does not occur.

The University will take positive Action including seeking, allocating and delivering adequate resources. In addition, The University will review the equality implications of its policies and procedures monitoring their outcomes and ensure continuous improvements are made. Reasonable adjustment will be made where required to enable participation, to promote inclusion and diversity, and overcome barriers to inclusions.

TOGETHER Towards Sustainable Communities:

• Sustainability @ APU - click HERE
• APU Energy Conservation Program  - click HERE
• APU Water Conservation Program  - click HERE
• APU Recycling Program  - click HERE
• APU Transportation Policy - click HERE
• APU Life on Land Conversation  - click HERE
• APU Environment and Climate Change Policy - click HERE
• APU Sustainable Procurement Policy - click HERE
• APU Sustainable Investment Policy - click HERE
• Corporate Social Responsibility @ APU - click HERE
• ESG & Sustainability Events – Activities @ APU - click HERE