Financial Transparency (16.2.7)

Public access to university financial statements and data.

Introduction:

Al-Ahliyya Amman University (AAU) demonstrates a strong commitment to institutional transparency through the public disclosure of its financial data, financial governance practices, and annual budget-related information. This commitment aligns with SDG16.6 which emphasizes effective, accountable, and transparent institutions.

AAU’s financial transparency framework is governed by two key official documents:

University Financial Data Publication Procedure

Transparency and Anti-Corruption Policy

These documents ensure that financial information is disclosed publicly, consistently, and in a manner that promotes trust, accountability, and compliance with national regulations.
AAU enables public access to key financial data through official channels, allowing stakeholders including students, families, government entities, civil society, and local communities to view and understand the university’s financial operations and governance.

Centers and Departments:

January
01

1. Finance Department

The Finance Department oversees preparation, verification, and publication of official financial statements, and ensures compliance with the Financial Data Publication Procedure. It manages financial reporting, budget execution, and public disclosure requirements.

January
01

2. Human Resources & Institutional Development Unit

This unit ensures that financial transparency aligns with institutional governance standards and internal control mechanisms, including personnel budgeting, compensation transparency, and institutional reporting pathways.

January
01

3. Sustainability & International Ranking Center (SIRC)

SIRC ensures that financial transparency practices are documented and reported within SDG-related frameworks, linking financial openness with institutional governance indicators, including SDG16.

January
01

4. Marketing & Communications Unit

This unit supports the public dissemination of financial information and ensures that financial data is accessible, clearly communicated, and published through official channels.

Activities:

January
01

1. Publication of the University Financial Data Publication Procedure

AAU publicly publishes the official procedure governing financial data disclosure. This document defines how and when financial information must be released, ensuring consistency, accessibility, and compliance with regulatory expectations.

January
01

2. Implementation of the Transparency and Anti-Corruption Policy

This policy strengthens financial transparency by mandating ethical financial conduct, anti-bribery safeguards, integrity in financial reporting, and accountability in resource allocation.

January
01

3. Annual Disclosure of Financial Governance Information

Financial governance structures, budget oversight processes, and institutional financial responsibilities are publicly accessible through the university’s governance councils page. These disclosures ensure transparency in how financial decisions are made at the highest institutional levels.

January
01

4. AAU’s anti-corruption study submitted to national authorities

While not directly financial, this demonstrates AAU’s role in promoting integrity, anti-corruption, and financial justice frameworks at the national level—reinforcing financial transparency.

Impact Evaluation & Development Plan

Performance Evaluation
- Financial data publication governed by a formally approved procedure.
- Public access to financial information through official AAU platforms.
- Clear governance structures overseeing financial decisions.
- Policies ensuring transparency, anti-corruption, and ethical financial conduct.
- Alignment with national financial reporting regulations and global SDG standards.
Development Actions

Action 1: Publish an annual Financial Transparency Report covering revenue, expenditures, and budget allocation.

Action 2: Create a public online Financial Data Dashboard for real-time financial publication.

Action 3: Expand financial literacy workshops for students and community stakeholders.

Action 4: Strengthen internal financial auditing mechanisms and publish summaries on the website.

Action 5: Integrate financial transparency into all MoUs and stakeholder partnerships.
Benchmarking & Best Practice

Adopted Global Best Practices:
- Alignment with international higher-education financial transparency standards.
- Compliance with UN principles on institutional accountability and SDG16.6.
Localization to Jordan’s National Context:
- Follows Ministry of Higher Education and Accreditation Commission standards for financial disclosure.
- Supports national integrity and transparency frameworks.
Future Goal (By 2028):

To establish AAU as one of the most financially transparent universities in Jordan through digital financial reporting, annual disclosures, and community-accessible data systems.

Institutional Integration Summary

Financial transparency is fully integrated into AAU’s governance framework through the Financial Data Publication Procedure, anti-corruption safeguards, public governance disclosures, and clear communication mechanisms.
This system ensures accountable financial management and public access to financial information, aligning fully with SDG16’s objectives for transparent, effective, and trustworthy institutions.