Issued: 24.02.2023

Introduction and Purpose

Baku Eurasian University (hereinafter University) is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable community where all members are valued, respected, and supported. We recognize that diversity in all its forms – including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, socioeconomic status, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and national origin – enriches our educational environment and enhances our collective learning experience. Our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity is fundamental to our mission of excellence in teaching, research, and service.

University is also committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the University’s values and   commitments are aligned with SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, and SDG 5: Gender Equality.

Statement of Commitment

University is dedicated to promoting diversity, fostering inclusion, and achieving equity across all aspects of our operations and within the broader community. We affirm our commitment to:

• accept and value the diversity of people that make up our university community;
• establish a welcoming atmosphere where everyone is encouraged to succeed and feels appreciated and respected;
• determine and remove institutional structural obstacles to access and equity;
• establish a culture of belonging that encourages cooperation, creativity, and understanding between people;
• assist many communities on a local, national, and international level to promote equality and fairness in society.

Scope  

All employees (including, but not limited to, consultants, contractors, volunteers, casual workers,     

apprentices, and agency workers), researchers, and applicants to work or study at the university are all covered by this policy. Students include undergraduates, postgraduates, postdoctoral, and placement students. The values of equality of opportunity and nondiscrimination also apply to how visitors, staff members, suppliers, contractors, and other individuals involved in the operations of the university should be treated. This covers communication through electronic, online, and in-person means.

Legal base

The legal base of the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy is based on the respective provisions of the respective legislations of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Decrees and (or) the orders of the President and the Cabinet of Ministries of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Labor Code and the Law on Education and other related legal documents.

Principles and Values

At university, we pursue diversity, inclusion, and equity under the following guiding principles and values:

• Respect: Regardless of background or identity, we respect the intrinsic value and dignity of every person;
• Equity: We work to establish a just and fair atmosphere in which each member has an equal chance to prosper;
• Integrity: In all of our interactions, we adhere to the strictest principles of honesty, integrity, and moral behavior;
• Cooperation: We recognize that promoting diversity and inclusivity calls for the support and cooperation of all individuals within our community.

Responsibilities

Promoting diversity, inclusivity, and equity is a collaborative effort involving educators, staff members, students, administrators, and other relevant parties. University is dedicated to:

• providing resources and leadership to support programs promoting fairness, inclusiveness, and diversity;
• promoting a climate that is friendly and inclusive to all university community members;
• encouraging diversity in hiring, promoting, and retaining faculty, staff, and students;
• responding promptly and fairly to instances of bias, harassment, or discrimination;
• interacting with other groups in order to advance fairness, social justice, and constructive social change.

Recruitment and Retention

The university is dedicated to bringing in and keeping a diverse student body, faculty, and staff that represents the wide range of human experiences. We will:

• implement proactive strategies to attract candidates from underrepresented groups;
• ensure that recruitment processes are fair, transparent, and free from bias or discrimination;
• provide support and resources to help diverse faculty, staff, and students thrive and succeed within our institution.

Education and Training

The university will provide educational programs and training opportunities in order to improve cultural competency, advance understanding, and encourage inclusive practices. We will:

• provide mandatory instruction on subjects like inclusive teaching and learning, cultural competency, and unconscious prejudice.
• organize talks and awareness about diversity and inclusion concerns by providing workshops, seminars, and other educational activities.
• support the creation of inclusive curricula and teaching approaches that take into account a range of experiences and viewpoints.

Support Services

The university is dedicated to helping anyone who encounter harassment, discrimination, or other obstacles to inclusion by offering resources and support services. We will:

• provide easily available avenues for reporting instances of bias, harassment, or discrimination;
• offer private assistance and advocacy programs to people who have been subjected to harassment or discrimination;
• provide mental health services, counseling, and other resources to promote the overall wellbeing of the university community.

Accountability and Evaluation

The university is dedicated to promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity through accountability and transparency. We will:

• provide systems for tracking the accomplishment of the diversity, inclusion, and equity objectives;
• compile and evaluate information on diversity metrics, such as representation, staff and student satisfaction, and retention rates;
• evaluate the success of diversity, inclusion, and equality programs on a regular basis and make necessary changes to meet our objectives.

Continuous Improvement

The university is dedicated to making constant improvements in its initiatives to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion. We will:

• improve our rules and procedures, we should ask stakeholders and members of the university community for their opinions.
• review and update our diversity, inclusion, and equality policy on a regular basis to take into account new findings and best practices.
• encourage a culture of learning and development where all university community members are enabled to participate in our joint endeavors to build a more diverse and equitable institution.

Conclusion

The university reaffirms its dedication to inclusion, diversity, and equity as core principles that improve our community's quality of life and our collective educational experience. As we endeavor to build a more fair, equitable, and inclusive society, we extend an invitation to every member of the university community to join us in this vital task.