QS Sustainability Hub · 2026

Al-Ahliyya Amman University

Official QS Sustainability submission presenting verified policies, institutional practices, and performance evidence across Environmental, Social, and Governance dimensions for the 2026 ranking cycle.

Environmental Social Governance Verified 2026
Sections

1. Environmental Impact

1.1 Environmental Sustainability
#CodeIndicator
🌿1.1.1 Climate & Sustainability Action Policy

Institutional sustainability/climate action policy publicly available, forming the foundational governance framework for all environmental commitments.

🎓1.1.2 Mandatory Annual Sustainability Training
Both Students & Staff

AAU mandates annual sustainability training for all faculty and professional staff, delivered through the Sustainability Leadership & Capacity Building Program covering four modules: Environmental Stewardship, Social Responsibility, Ethical Leadership, and Sustainability in Action. Delivery combines interactive workshops, online learning, and sustainability labs with pre/post-assessments. Completion certificates and Sustainability Champion Badges are awarded. The 2024/2025 cycle recorded 97% completion. Organised by SIRC in collaboration with the HR Excellence Office, the Student Sustainability Club, and industry partners.

📊1.1.3 Sustainability Literacy Assessment — Staff

AAU administers an annual Sustainability Culture Assessment measuring sustainability literacy across all staff and stakeholders. The 2024/2025 cycle recorded 187 faculty members at 96.3% and 104 administrative staff at 94.5%, with 2,256 total university respondents achieving an overall score of 92.1%. Developed over two years in collaboration with sustainability experts from multiple universities within AAU's Consortium for Sustainability, and delivered via a bilingual platform.

📊1.1.4 Sustainability Literacy Assessment — Students

AAU administers an annual Sustainability Culture Assessment evaluating students' sustainability literacy across environmental, social, and economic dimensions. The 2024/2025 cycle recorded 1,819 student participants achieving a score of 91.8%, contributing to a total university score of 92.1% across 2,256 respondents. Results guide targeted educational programs and track progress against sustainability learning objectives.

🛒1.1.5 Sustainable Procurement / Purchasing Policy

Institutional policy governing sustainable procurement and purchasing practices, embedding environmental and social criteria into all supply chain decisions.

💰1.1.6 Sustainable Investment Policy

Institutional policy governing sustainable investment decisions, incorporating ESG criteria into all financial investment activities.

🌱1.1.7 Student-Led Sustainability Society

AAU has an active Student Sustainability Club whose purpose is to engage students with sustainability initiatives, organize events, promote environmental best practices, and contribute to community outreach and program delivery.

♻️1.1.8 Carbon Emissions Reporting (GHG Protocol)

AAU reports its carbon emissions in line with the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard. Evidence of the last conducted inventory is publicly available.

📉1.1.9 Total Scope 1, 2 & 3 Carbon Emissions (tCO₂e)
18.5
Scope 1 tCO₂e
0.0
Scope 2 tCO₂e
18.5
Total Scope 1 & 2 tCO₂e
580.0
Scope 3 tCO₂e
📅1.1.10 Baseline Year for GHG Emissions
Baseline Year: 2021

Total Scope 1 & 2 for 2021 baseline year: 268.4 tCO₂e

🎯1.1.11 Carbon Reduction Target (Scope 1 & 2) by 2050

AAU has a carbon reduction target covering Scope 1 & 2 emissions with a commitment to reaching net-zero. Evidence is provided through the published emissions report.

☀️1.1.12 Energy Generated from Renewable Sources

Total energy generated on campus through renewable sources (consumed, stored, or sold on) for the last reporting year:

2,587,379 kWh
Renewable Energy Generated (2025)
🏛️1.1.13 Total Campus Building Footprint

Total campus building footprint in square meters. Carbon intensity = 18.5 tCO₂e / 136,684.61 m².

136,684.61
square meters (m²)
🌍1.1.14 Net-Zero Commitment Year

AAU has publicly committed to reaching net-zero carbon emissions.

2028
Target net-zero year
1.2 Environmental Education
#CodeIndicator
📚1.2.1 Courses on Climate Science & Environmental Sustainability
  • Courses offered and linked to officially recognized academic credits
  • Courses lead to the award of officially recognized qualifications specifically referring to climate science and environmental sustainability
AAU has mapped its entire academic catalog to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, producing a searchable repository of 1,619 credited courses across all faculties and degree levels — one of the most comprehensive course-SDG mapping exercises undertaken by any university in the Arab region. Every course carries official academic credits and is linked to one or more SDGs, with climate science and environmental sustainability forming a core thematic strand.

Courses directly addressing climate science and environmental sustainability include: Environmental and Public Safety, Environmental and Sanitary Engineering, Renewable Energy Systems, Treatment of Liquid and Solid Wastes, Water Resources, Sustainable and Green Architecture, Environmental Law, and Distributed Generation and Smart Grids. These are embedded within officially accredited undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Architecture.

All 71 of AAU's academic programs across 13 faculties and 3 degree levels are mapped to the SDGs, covering all 17 goals. SIRC also delivers dedicated sustainability training programs open to graduates, faculty, students, and partners from industry and the local community.
1.3 Environmental Research
#CodeIndicator
🔬1.3.1 Research Centre with Focus on Environmental Sustainability — HCASR
  • Dedicated Research Centre with specific focus on environmental sustainability
  • The Research Centre has dedicated FTE staff
  • This Research Centre contributes (through curriculum, teaching and supervision) to undergraduate and postgraduate programs
The Hourani Center for Applied Scientific Research (HCASR) at AAU designates Sustainability as one of five core research priorities, alongside Education, Health, Society, and Technology. The Center has dedicated FTE staff managing sustainability-focused research initiatives, with international partnerships spanning universities in Austria, Malaysia, and Saudi Arabia. HCASR contributes directly to undergraduate and postgraduate programs through curriculum integration, faculty collaboration, and student project supervision.

AAU's SDG research output between 2021 and 2026 reached 2,598 publications across 16 active SDGs, recording +571% overall growth. Climate Action research (SDG 13) grew by +2,300% and Clean Energy (SDG 7) by +1,550%, confirming the Center's deepening focus on environmental sustainability.

2. Social Impact

2.1 Equality
#CodeIndicator
⚖️2.1.1 Equality Data — Staff & Students

Gender, full-time/part-time, headcount and FTE data for faculty staff (male/female/other) and students (female/other), plus senior leadership composition, are reported in line with QS requirements and aligned with figures declared to the QS World Rankings.

🤝2.1.2 Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Policy
  • Current EDI policy in place

Protected characteristics covered:

✓ Age✓ Disability ✓ Religion or belief✓ Marriage & civil partnership ✓ Pregnancy & maternity✓ Gender / gender reassignment ✓ Race✓ Refugee & asylum seekers
2.1.3 Disability Support Services
  • Existence of Disability Support Office (DSO)
  • Campus is easily accessible by people with disabilities
  • Access schemes for people with disabilities including mentoring and targeted support
  • On-campus accommodation available for people with disabilities
  • Policy/strategy outlining reasonable adjustments and provisions including adequate funding
AAU ensures full campus accessibility through preferred parking, wheelchair ramps, elevators with tactile buttons, accessible restrooms on every floor, and adapted dormitory rooms. Assistive technologies including screen readers, speech-to-text, and specialist keyboards are available. Academic accommodations include notetakers, sign language interpreters, and extended assessment time.
🧑‍🏫2.1.4 Mandatory Annual Social Sustainability Training — Staff
Both Students & Staff
AAU mandates annual sustainability training covering social aspects for all faculty and professional staff by formal decision of the Deans' Council. Two of the program's four modules address social dimensions directly: Social Responsibility, covering diversity, equity, inclusion, mental health, and community engagement; and Ethical Leadership, covering institutional values, anti-discrimination practices, and professional conduct.

AAU's Sustainability Culture Assessment 2024/2025 recorded 187 faculty members at 96.3% and 104 administrative staff at 94.5%, with 1,819 students at 91.8%, confirming active participation across all groups. Total respondents reached 2,256 with an overall score of 92.1%.
2.2 Knowledge Exchange
#CodeIndicator
🏙️2.2.1 Community Outreach Programs
AAU runs a structured program of community outreach spanning education, health, and social development. The university manages Basmet Ataa Charity, a dedicated welfare association serving approximately 1,000 families in low-income neighborhoods across Amman, providing material support, food parcels, university scholarships, and home renovation assistance.

Documented initiatives include volunteer campaigns supporting the Clothing Bank in cooperation with the Jordanian Hashemite Charity Organization, Ramadan charity campaigns in Al-Balqa Governorate, and Iftar events hosted for Gaza children undergoing medical treatment in Jordan.

In health outreach, the College of Nursing delivers awareness sessions on anemia, smoking, and women's health at local health centers. AAU also maintains a distinguished research and awareness partnership with the King Hussein Cancer Center, with a particular focus on breast cancer research and community education.

The university further organizes scientific days marking the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, Arbor Day tree-planting campaigns, and smart agricultural greenhouse initiatives benefiting local farmers. AAU's Career Day connects students and community members with employment opportunities.
2.3 Health & Wellbeing
#CodeIndicator
🏥2.3.1 On-Campus Health & Wellbeing Services
  • Healthy and affordable food choices for all on campus
  • Access to physical health-care services including information and education
  • Access to sexual and reproductive health-care services including information and education
  • Access to mental health support for both staff and students
🥗2.3.1·A Healthy & Affordable Food
AAU ensures healthy and affordable food through two formalized procedures: the Meal Subsidy Procedure (PRO_5_SDG_1_P2_N_2), which guarantees subsidized nutritious meals for all students, faculty, and staff regardless of economic background, and the Sustainable Food Provision Procedure (PRO_21_SDG_2_P2_N_1). Food safety is overseen by the Public Health and Safety Committee in cooperation with national laboratories and the Ministry of Health. AAU's Sustainability Report 2025 records Hunger Program Beneficiaries at 94% in 2024/2025.
💊2.3.1·B/C/D Healthcare & Mental Health Services

Physical health-care services, sexual and reproductive health services, and mental health support are all available to students and staff.

3. Governance

3.1 Good Governance
#CodeIndicator
🏛️3.1.1 EDI Committee / Office / Officer
  • Existence of committee, office or officer tasked by the administration to advise on EDI and human rights
  • Existence of anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies
🚫3.1.2 Anti-Bribery & Corruption Policy
  • Existence of anti-bribery and corruption policy or equivalent
  • Policy reviewed in the last 3 years (on or after 2020)
🌐3.1.3 Dedicated Sustainability Team — SIRC
AAU has established the Sustainability and International Ranking Center (SIRC) as a dedicated institutional body whose sole mandate is to advance sustainable development across the university. The Center operates under a published organisational structure with two core divisions: the Sustainability and Data Analytics Division (covering the Sustainability Research Hub, Training and Awareness Unit, and Inclusion and Engagement Unit); and the Rankings and Institutional Reputation Division (covering the Institutional Excellence Unit and Reputation and Global Visibility Unit).

SIRC is led by Dr. Ahmad Mansour as Director, supported by Mirad Hurani as Assistant Director, and governed by four oversight bodies: the Rankings Steering Committee, the Sustainability Board chaired by University President Prof. Dr. Sari Hamdan, the Office of Integrity and Compliance, and the EDI Committee.

Institutional sustainability work is guided by the AAU Integrated SDGs Framework, a four-phase cycle covering Planning, Execution, Results and Evaluation, and Development.
⚖️3.1.4 Ethics & Compliance Culture
  • Clear ethical values enshrined in a publicly available strategic document
  • Training based on those values at all levels of the organisation
  • Office for ethical compliance with a designated official overseeing ethical matters across the institution
  • Internal reporting system assuring confidentiality of whistleblowers / grievance procedure for staff
🗳️3.1.5 Student Union
  • Recognised student union representing both undergraduate and postgraduate students
  • Student union connected/affiliated to a wider national student union body
  • Student union elects its leadership through student vote
🏅3.1.6 Sustainability Committee
  • Formal Sustainability Committee established
  • Member of executive leadership team sits on this committee (University President chairs the Sustainability Board)
AAU has formally established a Sustainability Board chaired by Prof. Dr. Sari Ahmad Hamdan, University President, ensuring that executive leadership is directly embedded in sustainability governance.

The Board includes eight members: Prof. Dr. Ahmad Samed Al-Adwan (Dean of Scientific Research), Dr. Eyad Shaban (Assistant to the President for Accreditation, Quality and Planning), Dr. Ahmad Mansour (Director of SIRC), Mohammad Abdullah (Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre), Dr. Fayrouza Abuswaitem (Director of Global Engagement Centre), Eng. Ahmad Al-Hourani (Marketing and Communications), Raya Alsharif (Head of Business Incubator), and Daren AlHares as student representative.

The governance structure extends beyond the institution through a dedicated Partnerships framework encompassing a Consortium for Sustainability, Academic Partnerships, Institutional Partnerships, and an International Network.
📋3.1.7 Financial Transparency & Annual Reports
  • Income published annually
  • Expenditure published annually
  • Borrowing published annually
  • Surplus published annually
📢3.1.8 Annual General Meeting Decisions — Publicly Shared

AAU publicly shares decisions taken in its annual general meeting. Minutes and decisions are accessible through the Board of Trustees page.

👤3.1.9 Student Representation on Governing Body

AAU's governing body includes student representation. A student representative (Daren AlHares) sits on the Sustainability Board.

4. Additional Information

4.1 Quantitative Data
4.1.1 · A
Water Consumption
88,008
cubic meters (m³)
Previous reporting year · 1,000 L = 1 m³
4.1.1 · B
Energy Consumption
2,137,759
kWh / year
Previous reporting year
4.1.1 · C
Full Scholarships (100% fees)
239
students
4.1.1 · D
Partial Scholarships (≥50% fees)
1,100
students
Key Performance Summary
Emissions
18.5 tCO₂e
Total Scope 1 & 2 (latest year)
Renewables
2.59M kWh
Renewable energy generated (2025)
Courses
1,619
SDG-mapped credited courses
Research
2,598
SDG publications 2021–2026
Literacy Score
92.1%
University-wide sustainability literacy (2024/25)
Net Zero
2028
Committed net-zero target year