The Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Committee

The Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Committee is ANNU’s senior forum for directing, coordinating, and assuring university-wide EDI work across students, staff, and community interfaces, aligned with ANNU values, Palestinian regulations, and global best practice. It operates with formal authority, publishes decisions and annual summaries, and integrates EDI within teaching, research, services, and campus operations.

What we do?

The EDI Committee provides leadership and coordination for all university-wide efforts related to:

1. Eliminating discrimination and ensuring equal opportunity for students, staff, and faculty.

2. Developing inclusive policies and programs on anti-harassment, accessibility, inclusive recruitment, and teaching practices.

3. Advising university leadership on integrating diversity, inclusion, and human rights principles into strategic plans, accreditation, and sustainability frameworks (SDG 5 & SDG 10).

4. Promoting awareness and capacity-building through training, campaigns, and staff development programs.

5. Monitoring performance through key indicators, audits, and regular evaluation of equity outcomes.

Our mission statement 

“To enable every member of the An-Najah community to belong, participate, and succeed—by eliminating discrimination, advancing equal opportunity, and embedding inclusion in all decisions—so that diversity becomes a driver of excellence and social impact.”

Terms of Reference

• Set and monitor ANNU’s EDI strategy and annual delivery plan.

• Review and approve EDI-related policies, standards, and frameworks.

• Oversee impact assessments and direct corrective actions where inequities exist.

• Commission reviews, reports, and task groups to address emerging inclusion challenges.

• Coordinate external benchmarks and institutional commitments to human rights and inclusion.

• Serve as a consultation forum for staff and student EDI networks.

• Publish an Annual EDI Report summarizing progress, actions, and future priorities.

Structure and Membership

• Chair: University President

• Deputy Chairs:

• Director of Sustainability Office

• HR Director

• Dean of Student Affairs

  • Director of EDI Committee: Provides strategic coordination and analysis.

  • Voting Members include:

• Faculty Deans or Associate Deans

• Director of Digital Technologies

• Director of Logistics and Infrastructure Affairs

• Director of Disability Support Office (DSO)

• Director of Quality Assurance

• Representatives from the Student Union (Undergraduate & Postgraduate, gender-balanced)

• Two external lay or civil society representatives

This broad membership ensures inclusive representation from academic, administrative, student, and community perspectives.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Chair (President): Sets meeting agendas, endorses decisions, and ensures institutional follow-through.

• Secretary (Governance Office): Manages records, minutes, and public transparency.

• Members: Present data and reports from their areas, propose actions, and monitor progress.

• EDI Director: Coordinates implementation, maintains KPI dashboards, and ensures cross-unit collaboration.

Meetings and Minutes

• Papers issued at least 7 days in advance; action log maintained with owners and due dates.

• Minutes capture decisions and actions (not case details); approved minutes and a public summary are posted on ANNU’s site for transparency.

Frequency of Meetings 

At least four (4) times per academic year, with extraordinary meetings at the Chair’s discretion.

Quorum

Chair or Deputy plus at least one-third of members, including at minimum one student representative and one HR/Student Affairs lead.