5.3.2
Women’s Applications and Entry Policy
The University of Thessaly (UTh) is committed to ensuring that women have equal access to academic and professional opportunities. While legal restrictions prevent the direct allocation of a specific percentage of undergraduate places to women, the University aims to promote gender equity by using targeted outreach strategies for both student admissions and staff recruitment. This policy formalizes the University’s approach to increasing female participation in its programs and staff positions through proactive advertising and engagement efforts.
Purpose and Strategic Framework
The purpose of this policy is to:
Promote gender equality in university admissions and staff recruitment without violating legal restrictions on gender quotas.
Use targeted outreach strategies to encourage female applicants, particularly in fields where women are underrepresented (e.g., STEM programs).
Align with SDG 5 (Gender Equality), ensuring that women have equal opportunities for education and employment, both as students and staff members.
Scope
This policy applies to:
Undergraduate student admissions, across all academic departments and programs at the University.
Staff recruitment, both for academic (faculty) and administrative positions.
All communication channels used by the University to advertise open positions or academic programs.
Key Provisions
Targeted Advertising for Female Applicants
The University will develop outreach campaigns specifically targeting female audiences, encouraging them to apply for undergraduate programs, particularly in fields where they are underrepresented.
The University will advertise available student positions through a variety of channels that reach women, including social media, university events, partnerships with women’s organizations, and collaboration with schools.
Promotional materials and campaigns will emphasize the benefits of higher education for women and the University’s commitment to gender inclusivity in all its academic and professional environments.
Promotion of Female Role Models and Mentors
The University will highlight female faculty members, researchers, and students as role models in academic and professional outreach campaigns.
Female students and staff will be actively involved in mentorship programs, offering guidance and support to prospective female applicants, particularly in fields where women are traditionally underrepresented.
Staff Recruitment and Gender Diversity
In line with its commitment to gender diversity, the University will specifically target female applicants for academic and administrative staff positions through the use of targeted advertising and outreach.
Efforts will include partnerships with professional networks for women in academia, advertisements in gender-inclusive publications, and active engagement with women’s leadership groups to encourage applications to University staff positions.
Support for Female Students and Staff
The University will offer support services for female students, including career counseling, gender equality workshops, and academic mentorship programs.
Special emphasis will be placed on supporting women in male-dominated fields (e.g., engineering, technology, and sciences) through tailored initiatives and support networks.
Women in academic staff positions will be encouraged to participate in leadership training and other professional development opportunities.
Monitoring and Evaluation
The Administration Office will track the gender balance of applicants and accepted students as well as the gender diversity of faculty and staff annually.
Gender equality progress will be reviewed regularly, and reports will be presented to the University Senate and included in the University’s Sustainability Report.
The University will adjust outreach strategies based on data and feedback to ensure continuous improvement.
Compliance with Legal Framework
This policy ensures compliance with national regulations regarding gender quotas and equal opportunities in recruitment and admissions.
The University will not implement gender quotas but will take affirmative action steps through targeted outreach to encourage more women to apply and participate in higher education and university employment.
Governance and Responsibilities
The Rector is responsible for overseeing the implementation of this policy.
Review and Continuous Improvement
This policy will be reviewed every two years to assess its effectiveness and to ensure that the University continues to meet its gender equality goals. Adjustments will be made based on the University’s data on applications, admissions, and staff composition, as well as feedback from women in the University community.
Through this policy, the University of Thessaly reaffirms its commitment to gender equality, ensuring that women have equal access to educational and employment opportunities while adhering to national and international legal frameworks.