Ethical Governance Culture Policy
A Culture of Ethics and Integrity
Abu Dhabi University (ADU) is deeply committed to fostering a workplace rooted in respect, accountability, transparency, and ethical conduct. Ethical governance is not a compliance exercise — it is a lived institutional value that shapes every interaction, decision, and relationship within our community. Our policies empower every member of our university — faculty, staff, and students — to act with integrity, speak up without fear, and contribute to a safe and equitable environment.
As a university operating in the UAE, ADU aligns its institutional policies with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). Our framework reflects a genuine belief that a just and ethical institution is a precondition for academic excellence.
Our ethics culture at ADU extends beyond formal compliance policies. It is further governed and reinforced by our Diversity and Inclusion Policy, our Fair Treatment Policy, and our Code of Honour — three foundational commitments that together ensure every individual at ADU is treated with fairness, dignity, and respect, regardless of background, role, or circumstance. These policies, read together with our Anti-Bullying, Whistleblowing, Fraud, and Disciplinary frameworks, form an integrated ethical governance ecosystem that reflects who we are as an institution.
Abu Dhabi University maintains an institutional office for ethical compliance through the Talent Empowerment and Growth Department. This office provides institution‑wide oversight of ethical matters, ensuring alignment with applicable regulations, best practices, and the University’s governance framework.
To submit a complaint or grievance please contact teg@adu.ac.ae including, description of the concern, date, time, and location of the incident, names of individuals involved (if known) and any supporting documents or evidence.
Our Policy Framework
Anti-Bullying Policy
ADU maintains an unequivocal zero-tolerance stance toward bullying in any form — verbal, physical, social, cyber, or discriminatory. The policy defines bullying as repeated, health-harming mistreatment and provides detailed guidance on recognizing such conduct. Employees are encouraged to report incidents confidentially to their supervisor or the Talent Empowerment and Growth (TEG) department. The TEG Director is empowered to investigate all reported cases. Malicious or false complaints are treated as a disciplinary matter. The policy ensures all employees are treated with dignity and respect, consistent with ADU’s Code of Ethics.
Whistleblowing & Ethical Reporting Policy
This policy provides all employees and stakeholders with a confidential, structured process to raise concerns about unethical, improper, or unlawful conduct. Concerns may be escalated progressively — from a direct supervisor to senior management,
and ultimately to the Directors of Internal Audit and TEG. Where senior management is implicated, direct escalation to the Chancellor is available. ADU prohibits retaliation against good-faith reporters and protects their identity through
a Whistle-blower Confidentiality Agreement. Investigations are concluded within 30 working days, with written feedback to complainants within 10 working days of closure.
Fraud Policy
ADU treats all forms of fraud and corrupt conduct as extremely serious offenses. The Fraud Policy defines fraud broadly encompassing misrepresentation, falsification, identity theft, misappropriation of assets, and conflicts of interest and mandates immediate reporting. A Fact-Finding Committee (FFC) is established within five working days of a complaint or grievance and is required to complete its inquiry within 20 working days. Disciplinary outcomes may include termination and legal prosecution. Employees discharged for fraud may not be re-employed by ADU or its associated entities. The TEG Director issues annual fraud reports to the Chancellor and Chairman.
Faculty & Staff Disciplinary Policy
This policy establishes a fair, progressive disciplinary framework aligned with UAE Federal Labour Law. It sets clear behavioral expectations for all ADU employees and provides a structured response when those standards are not met. The three-level progression moves from coaching and verbal warning (Level 1), to written warning and a performance improvement plan (Level 2), to discharge following investigation and a formal hearing (Level 3). Appeals against discharge are directed to the Chancellor, who may appoint a review committee. The policy also addresses academic integrity violations and employees who are concurrently enrolled as students.
All policies are subject to periodic review to ensure continued relevance, alignment with UAE law, and ADU’s evolving strategic priorities.
Ethics Committee Meeting: Formation & Membership
ADU maintains a formal ethics governance framework through which ethical matters are addressed with rigor, consistency and confidentiality. In practice, cases are reviewed by a purpose‑constituted committee that is convened as required once a matter is formally reported and validated. This approach ensures fairness, impartiality, and due process, while allowing the committee’s expertise and composition to be tailored to the specific nature and seriousness of each case under review.
Committee Composition Principles
Every committee formed under ADU’s ethical governance framework is guided by the following principles:
- Diversity of membership: committees are deliberately composed to reflect a range of seniority levels, disciplines, and perspectives, ensuring that no single viewpoint dominates the deliberative process.
- Impartiality: no member with a direct interest in, or personal relationship to, the parties involved may serve on the committee. Conflicts of interest must be declared and result in recusal.
- Fairness and due process: all parties, complainant and respondent are afforded equal opportunity to present their perspective, and all proceedings are conducted confidentially and in compliance with UAE law.
- Proportionality: the seniority and expertise of committee members are calibrated to the nature of the case.
Membership by Case Type
Ethics and conduct cases are reviewed by a committee with a core set of standing members, ensuring consistency, independence, and due process. These typically include the TEG Director, along with appropriate senior academic and/or senior staff representatives drawn from unrelated departments or disciplines. Depending on the nature of the case, the committee composition is supplemented to ensure subject‑matter relevance and neutrality, such as the inclusion of a Dean, Provost (or delegate), Student Affairs representation, or Board‑appointed representatives. Cases involving senior management receive enhanced oversight, with direct involvement of the Chancellor and potential escalation to the Audit Committee, reinforcing accountability at the highest levels of the University.
In all instances, the TEG Director coordinates the administrative process and ensures committee diversity. The Director of Internal Audit provides oversight of procedural compliance. Legal Counsel may be engaged in any case where legal implications are identified.
Annual Case Reporting & Governance Oversight
ADU is committed to transparency in the administration of its ethical governance policies. All cases reported and investigated under the Anti-Bullying, Whistleblowing & Ethical Reporting, and Fraud policies are tracked, reviewed, and reported in aggregate to the University’s governance bodies on an annual basis.
Specifically, the TEG Department compiles and presents an Annual Ethics & Compliance Report to the University Strategy and Governance Committee (USGC) and the Finance, Risk and Audit Committee (FRAC) ensuring institutional‑level oversight, transparency, and continuous monitoring at the highest level. This report covers the total number of cases received, a breakdown by policy category, investigation timelines and outcomes, and lessons learned with recommendations for continuous improvement.
The information below highlights activities of the ethics committees as a form of annual reporting for 2024-2025.
Ethics & Culture Training Initiatives (2024–2025)
The TEG Department has led a number of significant training and development programmes over the past two years, designed to strengthen ADU’s culture of ethics, professionalism, and inclusion. Key programmes include:
| Programme | Year | Description | Audience |
| Franklin Covey — Senior Leadership Programme | 2025 | A structured programme focusing on principle-centered leadership, building trust, and fostering accountability in institutional decision-making. | Senior Leadership & Executive Team |
| Middle Management Programme | 2024 | Delivered by TEG Director Allison Hamilton, this programme equipped middle managers with frameworks for ethical leadership, team accountability, and navigating workplace challenges with integrity. | Middle Management across all divisions |
| Staff Development Day | 2024–2025 | An annual institution-wide event promoting professional growth, ADU values, and practical skills for the evolving workplace. | All ADU Staff |
| Culture, Ethics, Inclusivity & Professionalism Training Day | 2025 | A dedicated training day addressing workplace culture, ethical conduct, inclusivity, and professional standards — facilitated by the TEG Department using scenario-based learning and group discussion. | All ADU Staff |
These initiatives reflect ADU’s proactive investment in building ethical awareness at all levels, moving beyond policy compliance toward genuine cultural embedding.
Summary of Case Types Handled
In the past two years, ADU has managed nine cases spanning ethical, academic, student-related, and workplace conduct. All cases have been handled with strict confidentiality, impartiality, and in full compliance with UAE labour law.
01
No Poverty
Sustained economic growth cannot be achieved without social inclusion as the whole of society has a role to play in the development of a country. Federal Law No. 13 of 1972 and its amendments by the law (No.2) in 2001 was issued by the Ministry of Community Development.
Introduction
Sustained economic growth cannot be achieved without social inclusion as the whole of society has a role to play in the development of a country. Federal Law No. 13 of 1972 and its amendments by the law (No.2) in 2001 was issued by the Ministry of Community Development.
(MOCD) as the first law to provide social benefits to members of the community to ensure and sustain the high quality of living for all UAE citizens. The Ministry continues to work today on enhancing social inclusion for all members of society where social benefits are extended to cover twenty-one segments of the community.
The UAE government has a future vision to change the culture of social support from the current ‘social welfare’ model to ‘sustainable social development’ that encourages independence and growth of families across the UAE.
ADU is determined to overcome all challenges that ADU and our students might face as a result of the poverty. We continue to be dedicated to empowering and inspiring outstanding students to pursue their goals. Our scholarships and financial aid programs are available to all students who want to fund their academic programmes. We consider it our duty to provide equal opportunities to students interested in pursuing higher education, enabling them to contribute to society regardless of their financial situation.
In additional to financial aid, ADU scholarships are being provided to outstanding students, through seven main categories, including the Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Scholarship, the President’s Scholarship, the University Scholarship, the Academic Scholarship, the Athletic Scholarship, the Alumni Scholarship, and the Family Tuition Waiver.
We take pride in attracting the brightest students in the UAE and offer them generous support, to excel in their studies. Our Scholarship and Financial Aid programmes are part of ADU’s corporate social responsibility and are influenced by the UAE’s great leadership. ADU is constantly finding pioneering and innovative ways to support and facilitate the needs of our students to help them achieve their academic degree.
Emirates Red Crescent and ADU Launch a Humanitarian Funding Campaign
Emirates Red Crescent and Abu Dhabi University recently launched the Education Support Campaign in coordination with Abu Dhabi Cooperative Society and Lulu Group International. Through this collaboration, ADU and Emirates Red Crescent will support disadvantaged students in their university studies, providing them with an opportunity for a successful educational journey. The campaign aims to raise 10 million dirhams, and students will benefit from these funds starting 24 November 2021 and for one year. (This activity is licensed by the Department of Community Development – Abu Dhabi, permit number 022).
Abu Dhabi Cooperative Society and Lulu Group International will aid the campaign by facilitating donations through their different points of sale. Community members will show their solidarity by donating valuable aid to students, starting at two dirhams.
Public donations will be accepted via text message through Etisalat and Du. Bank donations can be sent to Sharjah Islamic Bank - account number (11445518006), IBAN (AE350410000011445518006). Individuals can also donate through the link provided on the Emirates Red Crescent website (https://www.emiratesrc.ae/eduadu), with the donations ranging from ten dirhams to 1,000 dirhams.
H.E. Salem Al Rayes Al Ameri, Deputy Secretary-General for Local Affairs at Emirates Red Crescent, said, "Sponsoring students is one of the permanent and continuous programs within the initiatives of the Humanitarian and Development Authority. We continue to witness a high rate of response and generosity from sponsors and benefactors. These donations are considered a true embodiment and reflection of the authority's efforts to invest in empowering individuals and guiding them towards achieving their aspirations and fulfilling their dreams."
Al Ameri added, "The Authority acknowledges the important role it plays in preparing future generations for the responsibilities of tomorrow."
Al Ameri praised the existing cooperation between the Emirates Red Crescent and Abu Dhabi University, which seeks to support education and provide opportunities to disadvantaged students whose family circumstances prevent them from continuing their educational path. The cooperation embodies Abu Dhabi University's commitment to fulfilling its social responsibility, as well as its leading academic role in advancing science and education as the most important pillars of human development in the country. He also praised the role of the Abu Dhabi Cooperative Society and Lulu International Group in supporting the activities of the campaign.
Salem Mubarak Al Dhaheri, Executive Director of Community Relations at Abu Dhabi University, said, "Abu Dhabi University is proud of its strategic partnership with Emirates Red Crescent in launching the Education Support Campaign. The campaign aligns with Abu Dhabi University's mission to support students and allows us to share social responsibilities with the community. We are proud of the continuous cooperation and renewed partnership with Emirates Red Crescent in launching campaigns that carry a noble message and achieve a tangible and real impact on our society."
Al Dhaheri added, "Abu Dhabi University appreciates the role of the Abu Dhabi Cooperative Society, Lulu International Group, and all participating partners in supporting the campaign activities. Investing in our young people and building an educated generation capable of leading the continued development of our country is vital."
Abdul Majeed Al Khouri, the Executive Director of the Abu Dhabi Cooperative Society, commented, "Our participation in the Education Support Campaign confirms the depth of the decades-old relationship between the Abu Dhabi Cooperative Society and Emirates Red Crescent. With God's grace, it has gone beyond humanitarian work and now encompasses sustainability. We are proud of this pioneering partnership. The Abu Dhabi Cooperative Society has always sought to serve the community of the UAE and we continuously contribute to helping and supporting various sectors in Abu Dhabi and the other Emirates."
Al Khoori added, "The initiatives adopted by the Abu Dhabi Cooperative Society reflect our passion towards aiding societal struggles related to education. Abu Dhabi Cooperative Society has initiated partnerships with ministries and governmental institutions, such as the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Emirates Red Crescent, to create opportunities for those who dream of pursuing their educational journey. In the last few years, we doubled our efforts and developed initiatives that will allow us to serve our country and consolidate the concept of social responsibility. We are proud to be part of an institution that provides its students with an environment that values charitable work and social development while simultaneously providing high-quality education and academic qualifications that are respected worldwide."
Mr. Aboobakker TP, Director of LuLu Hypermarkets Abu Dhabi and Al Dhafra region, said, "This initiative embodies the belief and commitment of LuLu Group in the bright future of the UAE and the power of the Emirati youth to shape it."
"Education is one of the strongest building blocks for a nation's future, and LuLu Group is honored to share in raising valuable funding for needy students," he continued. "It empowers Emirati youth to contribute to their best potential and lead the future of the country. It is particularly timely that this campaign comes on the eve of the 50th anniversary of the UAE's nationhood. We at LuLu Group International are proud of our identity as a 'homegrown' UAE brand and see this participation in the 'Let's Support Their Future' campaign as our humble contribution to the nation that gave us so much to build upon."
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Abu Dhabi University is committed to becoming the best institution of its kind in the region. We are a private, multi-campus university committed to meeting the education, skills and knowledge needs in the United Arab Emirates and neighbouring countries through qualifications and standards that are respected across the world.
01
No Poverty
02
Zero Hunger
03
Good Health & Well-Being
04
Quality Education
05
Gender Equality
06
Clean Water & Sanitation
07
Affordable & Clean Energy
08
Decent work & Economic Growth
09
Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure
10
Reduced Inequalities
11
Sustainable Cities & Communites
12
Responsible Consumption & Production
13
Climate Action
14
Life below Water
15
Life on Land
16
Peace, Justice & Strong Institution
17
