SDG 5: Gender Equality

SDG 5: Gender Equality - East Bridge University (EBU)

East Bridge University is committed to achieving gender equality across all aspects of our institution, from student access and academic progression to leadership representation and workplace policies. We recognize that gender equality is fundamental to creating an inclusive learning environment where all individuals can thrive regardless of gender identity. Through comprehensive policies, targeted support programs, and systematic tracking of gender-related outcomes, we work to eliminate barriers and create equal opportunities for women, men, and transgender individuals in higher education and beyond.

In the Spotlight: Women in Leadership and STEM Excellence Program

Our Women in Leadership and STEM Excellence Program represents EBU’s flagship initiative to advance gender equality in education and professional development. This comprehensive program addresses gender representation across all levels of our institution, from student recruitment in underrepresented fields to senior academic leadership development. With 58% of our senior academic staff being women (29 out of 50 positions), we demonstrate our commitment to gender balance in leadership while actively working to encourage women’s participation in STEM fields where they remain underrepresented globally.

At a Glance: From Our Research to Our Operations

First-Generation Women Student Support: We actively support first-generation women students, with 296 first-generation women among our 648 female students starting degrees. Our targeted outreach and support programs ensure that women from families without higher education experience receive comprehensive guidance and mentoring throughout their academic journey.

Systematic Access Tracking and Policy Framework: We maintain comprehensive tracking of women’s application rates, acceptance rates, and participation across all programs. Our formal Access and Participation Policy specifically addresses women’s applications, acceptance, entry, and ongoing participation, ensuring systematic attention to gender equity at every stage of the student lifecycle.

Women’s Access and Support Schemes: Our comprehensive support system includes dedicated mentoring programs serving over 10% of our female students, targeted scholarships for women in underrepresented fields, and specialized outreach initiatives. We actively encourage applications by women in subjects where they are underrepresented through university-led outreach programs and community partnerships.

Academic Leadership Gender Balance: EBU demonstrates strong gender balance in senior academic leadership, with women comprising 58% of our senior academic staff (29 out of 50 positions). This representation provides strong role models for our students while ensuring diverse perspectives in institutional decision-making and academic program development.

Graduate Success Across Disciplines: Among our 55 graduates, women represent 47% of total graduates (26 women), with representation across all fields including 12% in STEM (3 out of 26 graduates), 4% in Medicine (1 out of 26 graduates), and 84% in Arts & Humanities/Social Sciences (22 out of 26 graduates). These outcomes demonstrate our ongoing commitment to supporting women’s academic achievement across diverse disciplines.

Comprehensive Non-Discrimination Policies: We maintain robust policies ensuring non-discrimination against women and transgender individuals, creating a safe and inclusive environment for all gender identities. Our policy framework addresses discrimination prevention, reporting mechanisms, and protection for those who report discrimination from educational or employment disadvantage.

Family-Friendly Support Systems: Our comprehensive family support includes maternity policies that support women’s continued participation in education, free childcare facilities for staff and faculty, and paternity policies that enable fathers to participate in childcare duties. These policies recognize that gender equality requires supporting all family structures and responsibilities.

Women’s Mentoring and Success Tracking: Over 10% of our female students participate in dedicated women’s mentoring schemes, connecting them with successful female graduates and professionals. We systematically track women’s graduation rates compared to men’s and implement targeted interventions to address any gaps, maintaining our 96% completion rate across all gender groups.

Research and Innovation in Gender Equality: Our faculty actively contribute to gender equality research, examining barriers to women’s participation in higher education, workplace gender dynamics, and policy effectiveness. This research informs our own practices while contributing to broader understanding of gender equality in education.

Community Outreach and Advocacy: We extend our gender equality commitment beyond our campus through community workshops, professional development programs for women educators, and partnerships with organizations promoting women’s rights and empowerment. Our graduates serve as advocates for gender equality in their professional and community roles.

Technology and Innovation for Inclusion: We leverage technology to create more inclusive learning environments, including flexible online learning options that accommodate diverse life circumstances, AI-powered career matching that addresses gender bias, and digital platforms that facilitate mentoring and peer support networks.

Global Perspective and Cultural Sensitivity: With students from 89 countries, we address gender equality within diverse cultural contexts, providing culturally sensitive support while maintaining our commitment to fundamental equality principles. Our programs recognize that gender equality challenges and solutions may vary across different cultural backgrounds.