10.6.3: Access to university underrepresented groups recruit 

KAU is a national and regional pioneer in empowering and recruiting people from under-represented groups, such as, Women, People with disabilities and International (non-Saudi) people. The below facts are indicative enough:

• The university has a full female organization structure which handles all administration of the University Vice Presidency for Female Students. 57% of Senior Academic Positions in KAU, as a whole, are occupied by WOMEN. This is a critical indicator to understand how KAU is supporting Gender Equality & Reducing Inequalities through empowering WOMEN by recruiting them in the different senior academic positions like faculty and leaders/ deanships, hence, becoming a preferred destination for Saudi WOMEN.

• KAU has 3,842 International Faculty out of 8,111 total faculty, which is around 50% of total faculty. An important indicator of the university's openness and un-discrimination towards international people from different ethnics, color, nationality and religion.

• 7% of KAU's workforce are Employees with Disability, who are practicing their employment life at the university with minimum difficulties and high self-dependency, thanks to KAU's facilities and services to Employees with Disability. KAU has been seeking further opportunities to recruit people with disabilities as can be seen at the bottom of this page.

Recruiting Sports Coaches with Disabilities 

In terms of people with disabilities, King Abdulaziz University has been working on recruiting sports champions, who are members of the national sports teams for people with disabilities, to join the university's coaching staff, where 3 international players from the Kingdom's National team were recruited in the weightlifting and wheelchairs racing coaching teams.

King Abdulaziz University is one of the leading universities in Saudi Arabia that seeks to promote employment and support employees with disabilities. The university seeks to achieve the full integration of this category into the university work environment through the following policies and initiatives:

The university's efforts in employing people with disabilities:

1. Comprehensive Employment Programs:

The university provides career opportunities for persons with disabilities in various academic and administrative departments and departments.

It seeks to provide jobs commensurate with the abilities and skills of people with disabilities, taking into account the provision of a flexible work environment that meets their specific needs.

2. Non-discrimination policy:

The university adopts a policy of non-discrimination in employment, which ensures that people with disabilities have equal opportunities with others based on competence and experience.

The university evaluates performance based on abilities and potential, without considering the presence of a disability.

3. Creating the work environment:

The university provides a fully adapted work environment to support employees with disabilities, including special technological facilities and equipment that facilitate the performance of tasks.

This includes dedicated offices, convenient elevators, and private parking near the buildings.

4. Rehabilitation and training programs:

The university offers training and qualification programs for its employees with disabilities to help them develop their skills and continue their professional development.

Training workshops are organized on modern technologies and the use of technological tools that facilitate work.

5. Support and Counseling Services:

The university provides a special support team for employees with disabilities who provide guidance and help solve any challenges they may face.

Career counseling services are also available to help employees determine their career paths and develop action plans.

6. Cooperation with supporting institutions:

The university collaborates with the Authority for the Care of Persons with Disabilities and others to develop initiatives and programs that support the employment of people with disabilities.

Coordination is made with companies and government institutions to enhance training and employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Future Challenges and Initiatives:

Despite the progress made by the university, challenges remain associated with providing fully equal opportunities for all types of disabilities, especially those that require special equipment such as visual or hearing impairments.

The university seeks to expand training programs and raise awareness among employees to develop a culture of inclusion and increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities in the future.

These efforts contribute to achieving the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which calls for the inclusion of people with disabilities in the labor market and enabling them to participate effectively in economic and social development.