Sustainable AASTMT

Anti-discrimination policy

 

Non-discrimination Policy

 

1. Description

The Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport (AASTMT) is committed to creating an environment of mutual respect and dignity for all its members. Everyone has the right to work and study in an atmosphere that promotes equal opportunities and prohibits unlawful discrimination.

AASTMT firmly asserts its dedication to ensuring that no student, staff member, or visitor experiences discrimination based on age, disability, gender, marital status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, socio-economic background, or trade union membership. The Academy actively opposes any assumptions or expectations about students or staff based on stereotypes, ensuring that diverse cultural, religious, and academic perspectives are adequately represented across all campuses.

AASTMT expects that all interactions among its members and stakeholders are conducted formally, professionally, and free from any form of explicit bias, prejudice, or discrimination.

 

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

• All staff, students, employees, and applicants associated with the Academy, regardless of whether the misconduct was perpetrated by a coworker or a third party not directly affiliated with AASTMT (e.g., outside vendors, consultants, or customers).
• Conduct that occurs inside or outside AASTMT campuses, including classrooms, laboratories, dormitories, offices, and any educational or work-related environment, as well as student and business trips, meetings, and related social events.

 

This policy is non-contractual and may be revised at any time.

 

3. Aims of the Policy

AASTMT has implemented this policy to guarantee that all staff, students, employees, and applicants operate in an environment free from unlawful discrimination. The Academy makes every reasonable effort to ensure that:

• All individuals are informed about this policy.
• Any complaint alleging a violation is investigated and addressed appropriately.

 

4. Definitions

Discrimination

The principle of non-discrimination assumes an environment where everyone can fully participate and realize their potential, and where individuals are free to express their opinions without undue limitations.

Discrimination is defined as verbal, written, or physical behavior that disparages or shows hostility or aversion toward any individual based on their race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic. Such conduct includes:

• Epithets, slurs, and negative stereotyping.
• Threatening, intimidating, or hostile actions.
• Written or graphic materials that disparage or demonstrate hostility toward an individual or group, including content posted on walls, distributed via social media, or sent by email, phone, or text message.

 

All individuals must be treated equally across all forms of:

• Students: admission, assessment, degree progress, and awarding of degrees.
• Employees: recruitment, evaluation, promotion, and rewarding.
• Partners and guests: invitation, collaboration, and participation.

 

Equal Opportunity

It is the policy of AASTMT to guarantee equal educational and employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristic. Discrimination of any kind is not tolerated at AASTMT.

 

Retaliation

AASTMT encourages the reporting of all perceived incidents of discrimination and prohibits retaliation against anyone who reports discrimination or participates in an investigation related to such reports. All reports are investigated promptly and thoroughly.

 

5. Policy Statement

This policy must not be used to exclude or separate individuals based on gender identity or any other protected characteristic from learning, training, business, or social activities at the Academy. No one should use discrimination or exclusion as a means to avoid accountability.

The statutes and regulations of AASTMT prohibit discrimination based on sex or any other protected characteristic in terms, conditions, privileges, and benefits of education and employment. The prohibitions against discrimination and retaliation are intended to complement and reinforce these regulations, not to provide a basis for exemption.

 

6. Reporting an Incident of Discrimination or Retaliation

AASTMT strongly encourages reporting any perceived instances of discrimination or retaliation, regardless of the offender's identity or position. Individuals who believe they have been subjected to such conduct should:

• Students: speak with a representative from the student affairs department or the college vice dean for student affairs.
• Staff members and employees: consult with their immediate supervisor, a member of the personnel practices committee, human resources, or an ombudsman.

 

AASTMT also advises individuals who believe they are experiencing such conduct to notify the perpetrator directly and request that the behavior stop. Individuals may also choose to pursue the matter through formal complaint procedures.

 

7. Complaint Procedures

Individuals who believe they have been victims of, or have witnessed, activities prohibited by this policy should report their concerns to:

• Their immediate student affairs department representative
• The college vice dean for student affairs
• Their supervisor
• Human Resources
• Any member of the personnel practices committee
• An ombudsman

 

AASTMT encourages early reporting to facilitate swift and constructive action before relationships become irreparably strained. While there is no specific reporting timeframe, early notification and intervention are the most effective means of resolving actual or perceived instances of discrimination.

Allegations of discrimination or retaliation will be investigated promptly. Investigations may include individual interviews with the involved parties and, where appropriate, with witnesses or individuals with relevant information.

AASTMT will maintain confidentiality throughout the investigation to the extent necessary for a thorough inquiry and appropriate corrective action.

Retaliation against any individual for reporting discrimination or cooperating with an investigation is a serious violation of this policy and will result in disciplinary action. Retaliatory actions should be reported immediately and will be addressed promptly.

 

8. Responsive Action

Responsive action may include, but is not limited to:

• For students: training and counseling, verbal or written warnings, temporary college suspension, or expulsion.
• For staff members and employees: training, referral to counseling, or disciplinary actions such as warnings, reprimands, withholding of promotions or pay raises, reassignment, temporary suspension without pay, or termination.

 

9. Review Program

 

Policy title	Non-discrimination Policy
Date created	November 2024
Dates reviewed	November 2025
Approving body	AASTMT Vice President for Education and Students Affairs Human Resources Affairs Department
Version	3
Next review date	November 2026
Policy owner	AASTMT Vice President for Education and Students Affairs Human Resources Affairs Department
Lead contact	AASTMT Vice President for Education and Students Affairs Human Resources Affairs Department
Approval Signature	Dr. Yasser Gaber Dean of Scientific Research and Innovation