Ana Sayfa
10 Reduced Inequalities
Anti‑discrimination & Anti‑harassment Policies İn Force

Anti‑Discrimination & Anti‑Harassment Policies in Force

Sakarya University (SAU) upholds and actively implements a comprehensive, legally grounded, and institutionally coordinated framework to prevent discrimination, promote equality, and ensure inclusive access across academic, administrative, health, and socio-cultural domains. Within the framework of the University’s 2023–2027 Strategic Plan, one of our core objectives is to provide Inclusive, High-Quality Education aligned with international standards, equipping learners with both professional competencies and lifelong learning skills that support their evolving needs. In this direction, SAU strengthens and expands student support mechanisms including academic advising, accessible campus services, and career guidance, with diversity and inclusion as foundational principles.

The University’s Measures Against Discrimination policy—publicly accessible and institutionally enforced—reaffirms that no student, academic, or staff member may be treated differently based on disability, gender, ethnicity, religion, language, socio-economic background, or sexual orientation, and guarantees protected reporting and complaint mechanisms for individuals who experience or witness discrimination or harassment. This institutional commitment is grounded in national regulatory frameworks such as Higher Education Personnel Law No. 2914 and the Ethical Conduct Principles for Higher Education Institutions, which collectively mandate fairness, impartiality, human dignity, confidentiality, and equal treatment in academic and professional processes. Oversight and implementation are coordinated through the SAU Ethics Committee and confidential reporting systems, reinforcing a zero-tolerance policy toward discriminatory practices.

Through the Accessible Living and Support Coordination Unit, the University works to remove structural and social barriers encountered by students with disabilities and ensures their equitable participation in academic, social, and cultural environments. This includes maintaining accessible campus infrastructure, providing reasonable accommodations, and coordinating new support programs and projects tailored to specific needs. The Accessible Living and Support Coordination and Accommodation Services Directive is implemented across all academic programs to prevent educational disadvantage and ensure equal access to learning opportunities.

SAU further operationalizes inclusion through targeted programs addressing systemic inequalities and supporting underrepresented groups, including:

  • Collaboration with the Turkish Human Rights and Equality Institution (TİHEK) (06 March 2024) to align institutional practices with national equality standards.
  • The Women in Business Micro-Credential Program (25 April 2024) to strengthen women’s leadership and labour market advancement.
  • The Barrier-Free Summer Education Initiative (12 August 2024) ensuring accessible academic environments for students with disabilities.
  • The University-wide Meeting of Unit Representatives for Barrier-Free Living (06 November 2024) to monitor and enhance accessibility standards.
  • The Workshop on Campus Violence Prevention Strategies (29 November 2024) supporting gender equality and respectful campus culture.
  • The Careers Beyond Barriers – Disability Employment Event (06 December 2024) enabling inclusive employability pathways.
  • The Women Leaders in Management Panel (19 December 2024) promoting representation of women in decision-making roles.

Together, these interlinked policies, mechanisms, and action programs demonstrate that Sakarya University does not only articulate equality in principle, but actively operationalizes it through monitoring, institutional coordination, support services, awareness initiatives, and strategic partnerships. This approach reflects a systematic, sustained, and measurable institutional commitment to Reduced Inequalities.

Etiketler :

Anti-discrimination framework,

Equality and inclusion,

Accessible education,

Disability support services,

Gender equality initiatives,

Institutional accountability,

Zero-tolerance policy,