/Institutions/University-of-Dubai/json/2024-2025/Policy-and-Procedure-Manual-local.json

/Institutions/University-of-Dubai/json/2024-2025/Policy-and-Procedure-Manual.json

Policy and Procedure Manual 2024-25 > Community Engagement > Social Responsibility and Community Engagement Policy

Social Responsibility and Community Engagement Policy

Policy: 

The SRCE Policy at UD aligns seamlessly with the strategic plan and institution's vision of becoming a world-class sustainable institution in education, research, and innovation for the betterment and prosperity of the people in the region.

This policy emphasizes the mission to serve diverse educational needs, provide internationally recognized education, create an innovative educational environment, produce high-caliber graduates, engage faculty in quality research, and contribute to the environmental, societal, and economic sustainable development of the region.

The policy is all-encompassing, extending its reach across the entire fabric of the university to include faculties, divisions, and centers. This breadth ensures a meticulous and uniform application of engagement practices, aligning seamlessly with the institution's vision and mission. 

The policy's implementation is not only comprehensive but also intricate, ensuring that every facet of the University, both academic and administrative, actively contributes to and embodies the principles of social responsibility and community engagement. This inclusive approach fosters a synergistic environment where engagement practices resonate organically with the overarching vision and mission of the University of Dubai.

Responsibilities

1. University Leadership:

   • Demonstrate a commitment to social responsibility and community engagement through strategic planning and decision-making.

   • Allocate resources to support initiatives that align with the university's social responsibility goals.

2. Social Responsibility and Community Outreach Committee:

   • Develop and guide the implementation of the University's community Engagement Strategy and Plan.

   • Assess the implementation and outcomes of SRCE activities and prepare an annual self-evaluation report by the end of the academic year and provide recommendations for improvements. 

   • Provides insights to the Marketing Department, Student Services, Human Resource, Alumni Relations, University centers and colleges on engagement priorities and developments, both nationally and internationally.

3. Faculty:

   • Integrate community engagement components into course curricula to provide students with practical, real-world experiences.

   • Encourage and support faculty research that addresses community needs and contributes to social betterment.

4. Students:

   • Actively participate in community service projects and engage in activities that promote social responsibility.

   • Utilize their academic knowledge and skills to address community challenges and contribute to positive social change.

5. Staff: 

   • Support and participate in community engagement initiatives that align with the university's values.

   • Seek opportunities to collaborate with local organizations and businesses to enhance community partnerships.

6. Deans and Department Heads:

   • Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with local community organizations, non-profits, and businesses.

   • Seek input from community stakeholders to identify priority areas for engagement and support.

   • Ensure that budgets allocated for SRCE activities within each department are properly accounted for and included in the overall budgeting process.

7. QAIE: 

   • Oversee the integration of the engagement activities of UD units with the UD’s  strategic plan.

   • Periodically review the engagement strategy to align with changing priorities, and integration of SRCE goals into the University's multi-year plans.

 

Policy Implementation:

1. Community Engagement Strategy and Plan:

   • Develop a comprehensive community engagement strategy and plan that outlines specific goals, target populations, and measurable outcomes.

   • Ensure alignment between the community engagement strategy and the overall mission and values of the university.

2. Integration into Curriculum: 

   • Aligning curriculum with engagement goals, integrating real-world examples

   • Encourage faculty to explore service-learning opportunities for students.

3. Non-curriculum Initiatives: 

   • Organize extracurricular activities and community events.

   • Provide resources and facilities for non-curricular initiatives that promote community engagement, such as workshops, seminars, and community forums.

4. Research-related: 

   • Facilitate collaboration between researchers, community organizations, and industry partners to maximize the impact of research outcomes.

   • Encourage faculty to take up research projects that address pressing social issues and contribute to community well-being.Community Outreach Programs:Develop and implement community outreach programs that address identified needs and contribute to community development.

   • Foster partnerships with local schools, community centers, and organizations to provide support and resources.

5. Communication and Reporting: 

   • Regularly communicate the university's social responsibility initiatives to the internal and external community.

   • Provide annual reports on the progress and impact of community engagement efforts.

6. Training and Capacity Building: 

   • Building the capacity of faculty and staff in engagement practices ensures the sustainability of these initiatives. This involves professional development programs and training sessions.

G. Quality Assurance and Effectiveness

• Establish a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to assess the impact and effectiveness of social responsibility and community engagement initiatives.

• Establish survey mechanisms to gather feedback from the university community, community stakeholders, and beneficiaries of community programs.

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement by regularly reviewing policies, procedures, and practices related to social responsibility and community engagement.

• Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) aligned with social responsibility goals and community impact and produce annual self evaluation report for the SRCE activities.