Openness Policy

1. Policy Statement

An-Najah National University is committed to ensuring equitable, inclusive and accessible participation in its public educational activities, lifelong learning programmes and community resources for all individuals, regardless of ethnicity, religion, disability, immigration status or gender.

The University prohibits discrimination in the promotion, registration, selection, delivery and evaluation of these activities. It actively addresses physical, digital, communication and administrative barriers that may prevent individuals from participating.

Public educational opportunities shall be accessible to members of the wider community, including individuals who are not enrolled at or employed by the University. This commitment supports lifelong learning, cultural exchange, professional development and community wellbeing.

2. Purpose

This policy establishes a University-wide framework to:

• Ensure fair access to public educational activities, facilities and learning resources.

• Promote lifelong learning and community participation.

• Prevent discrimination and exclusion.

• Provide reasonable accommodations and accessible participation arrangements for people with disabilities.

• Establish transparent registration, booking and eligibility procedures.

• Define responsibilities for implementation, complaints, monitoring and continuous improvement.

3. Scope

This policy applies to all University faculties, departments, centres, libraries, museums and administrative units that organise or manage public educational activities or community access to University resources. It also applies to external partners, contractors and event organisers delivering these activities on behalf of the University or using its facilities under an agreement.

Beneficiaries include:

• Community members, irrespective of citizenship, residency or immigration status, including refugees, migrants and displaced persons.

• Students, staff, alumni and prospective learners.

• Schools, colleges and other educational institutions.

• Community, cultural and professional groups.

• Charities, non-governmental organisations and public institutions.

• Businesses participating in educational or professional development activities.

• Organisers of public educational, scientific, artistic and cultural events.

The policy covers both in-person and online activities, including activities delivered outside University campuses.

4. Equal Access and Non-Discrimination

Access to activities covered by this policy shall not be denied or restricted because of ethnicity, religion, disability, immigration status or gender.

University enrolment, employment or alumni status shall not be required for activities designated as open to the public.

Where prerequisites, age requirements, capacity limits, fees or safety conditions apply, they must be:

• Necessary and relevant to the activity.

• Clearly communicated before registration.

• Applied consistently and without discrimination.

• Reviewed to prevent unnecessary exclusion.

Immigration status shall not, by itself, be a reason to exclude an individual from public learning activities. Identity or status documentation shall be requested only where necessary for a specific lawful or operational requirement.

Restrictions on access to specialized facilities or materials must be proportionate and based on legitimate safety, confidentiality, intellectual property or legal requirements.

5. Public Educational Activities and Open Resources

The University shall facilitate community access to the following activities and resources through published access arrangements:

• Public lectures and seminars: Educational talks, awareness sessions and discussions open to community participation.

• Short courses and professional training: Continuing education, vocational training and professional development opportunities, including programmes for individuals who are not University students.

• Community workshops and outreach: Educational activities responding to local needs, including digital literacy, science, culture and practical skills.

• Online learning: Publicly available courses, webinars, virtual workshops and educational materials.

• Libraries: Learning resources, reading activities, literacy programmes and public educational events, subject to published visitor and borrowing arrangements.

• Scientific laboratories: Supervised educational visits, community science activities and collaborative projects, subject to relevant safety requirements.

• Computer laboratories: Digital literacy programmes, technology workshops and other scheduled community learning activities.

• Conferences: Educational and professional events with clearly published participation requirements.

• Research repositories and University theses: Public access to materials authorized for open dissemination, subject to copyright, confidentiality and ethical requirements.

• Historical books and manuscripts: Educational exhibitions and access to authorized physical or digital collections, subject to preservation requirements.

• Theatres and cultural venues: Public educational performances, screenings and cultural activities.

• Museums: Educational visits, guided tours and learning programmes.

• Scientific and artistic exhibitions: Opportunities for community learning and engagement with research, innovation and the arts.

Each responsible unit shall publish the applicable opening hours, registration procedures, eligibility conditions, fees, accessibility information and contact details.

6. Disability Accessibility and Reasonable Accommodations

Organizing units shall assess accessibility when planning activities and selecting venues, platforms and learning materials.

Accessibility arrangements shall include, as appropriate:

• Step-free access, accessible entrances, seating and toilets.

• Clear signage and information about accessible routes.

• Accessible registration forms and digital learning materials.

• Alternative formats, captioning, interpretation or other communication support.

• Adjustments to participation methods, schedules or learning arrangements.

• Assistance during educational visits and practical activities.

• Inclusive emergency and evacuation arrangements.

Participants shall have a clear opportunity to request reasonable accommodations before or during an activity. Requests must be considered promptly, respectfully and confidentially, without an additional participation charge for the accommodation.

Where a venue or delivery method creates an accessibility barrier, the organizing unit shall arrange a suitable adjustment or an accessible alternative that provides an equivalent learning opportunity.

7. Registration, Booking and Financial Accessibility

Registration and booking procedures shall be clear, proportionate and accessible. Alternative registration or assistance shall be available for individuals who face disability, language or digital access barriers.

Where demand exceeds capacity, places shall be allocated through transparent criteria, such as published registration order or relevant learning prerequisites.

Organizers shall clearly identify whether an activity is free or fee-based and disclose all required charges before registration.

For fee-based activities, responsible units shall consider concessions, fee waivers, sponsored places or free alternatives to reduce financial barriers, particularly for underserved community members.

8. Communication and Community Engagement

Publicity shall use inclusive language and clearly explain who may participate, how to register and how to request accessibility support.

Responsible units shall communicate opportunities through appropriate University channels and community partners to reach diverse audiences, including people who may not regularly access University websites.

Community partnerships shall help identify learning needs, improve outreach and reduce barriers affecting underserved groups. Where necessary, organizers shall provide language support or clear explanations of essential participation information.

9. Implementation and Responsibilities

University leadership shall oversee implementation and ensure that responsible units incorporate this policy into activity planning and resource management.

Heads of faculties, departments and centres shall ensure that activities under their responsibility comply with the policy and that staff understand their obligations.

Activity organizers and facility managers shall:

• Apply fair participation and booking procedures.

• Assess accessibility and arrange reasonable accommodations.

• Publish participation conditions and support contacts.

• Respond to reported barriers and take corrective action.

• Maintain appropriate records for monitoring implementation.

Relevant accessibility and support units shall advise organizers on inclusive arrangements and assist in resolving accessibility barriers.

External partners and organizers shall comply with this policy through the conditions governing their activities or use of University facilities.

10. Complaints and Corrective Action

Participants and prospective participants may report discrimination, inaccessible arrangements or unfair exclusion to the organizing unit or through the University’s published complaints channels.

Activity announcements and registration information shall identify a contact for accessibility requests and complaints.

Reports shall be handled promptly, fairly and confidentially. Individuals shall be protected from retaliation for raising concerns or requesting accommodations.

Where a barrier or breach is identified, the responsible unit shall take appropriate corrective action, which may include providing an accommodation, reconsidering a participation decision, changing the venue or delivery method, or revising registration procedures.

Unresolved complaints shall be referred to the competent University authority under the applicable complaints procedures.

11. Monitoring and Evaluation

Responsible units shall review implementation at least annually, considering:

• Availability and reach of public learning opportunities.

• Accessibility of venues, platforms and registration procedures.

• Accommodation requests and the responses provided.

• Reported barriers, complaints and corrective actions.

• Participant feedback and community needs.

• Compliance by external delivery partners.

Any personal information collected for monitoring shall be limited to what is necessary, handled confidentially and reported in aggregate where appropriate.

Findings shall inform improvements to activity planning, staff guidance, accessibility arrangements and community outreach.

12. Policy Review and Public Availability

This policy shall be publicly available on the University website and communicated to staff, organizers and relevant partners.

It shall be reviewed periodically and whenever implementation findings or changes in applicable requirements indicate a need for revision. Each formally approved revision shall carry its actual approval or review date.

Effective Date: October 12, 2016
Review Date: June 17, 2025