Stakeholder Engagement Policy (16.2.3)

Policy and procedures for identifying and engaging with external local stakeholders.

Introduction:

Al-Ahliyya Amman University (AAU) maintains a structured and transparent framework for engaging with local external stakeholders in alignment with SDG16.7, which emphasizes inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making. This framework is governed by two official documents:

Local Stakeholder Engagement Policy

Local Stakeholders Identification and Engagement Procedure

These documents define how AAU identifies local stakeholders, evaluates engagement opportunities, and implements community-aligned activities. The framework ensures systematic engagement with government bodies, civil society organizations, NGOs, municipalities, professional associations, schools, health organizations, and private-sector partners.

AAU’s stakeholder engagement approach is further supported by the Government Collaboration Policy and the Government Expert Consultation Procedure, enabling sustained collaboration with public institutions, participation in legal and policy dialogues, and integration of community needs in institutional activities.

Centers and Departments:

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1. Sustainability and International Ranking Center (SIRC)

SIRC leads AAU’s SDG-aligned stakeholder engagement efforts, ensuring that all activities with external partners comply with the Local Stakeholder Engagement Policy and the Identification & Engagement Procedure. The center coordinates evidence, organizes partnerships, and verifies alignment with national and international SDG frameworks.

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2. Global Engagement Center (GEC)

The GEC facilitates partnerships with external local and international institutions, including NGOs, embassies, governmental entities, and cultural organizations. It ensures that collaborations adhere to the institutional engagement framework and support community-focused initiatives.

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3. Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE)

CIE supports engagement with private-sector partners, startups, and community innovators. It conducts workshops, training sessions, and innovation programs aligned with the engagement policy and contributes to local economic and institutional development.

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4. Women Health Center (WHC)

The WHC engages with local schools, community groups, and health organizations to deliver awareness programs and community health initiatives. These activities follow AAU’s stakeholder engagement procedure and address local societal needs.

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5. Al-Ahliyya Center for Consultations and Psychological Care (CCPS)

CCPS collaborates with schools, families, and community organizations to provide psychological consultations, mental health awareness sessions, and community support programs, in alignment with the engagement policy.

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6. Medical Services Department

The department engages with local health institutions and community groups through medical outreach, health awareness programs, and public health initiatives that support societal wellbeing.

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7. Arena Complex – Community Hosting and Public Engagement

The Arena Complex serves as a major community engagement venue, hosting public events, conferences, local activities, and collaborative programs with external stakeholders.

Activities:

January
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1. Implementation of the Local Stakeholder Engagement Policy

AAU applies the Local Stakeholder Engagement Policy across all colleges and centers to regulate external partnerships and ensure transparent, structured engagement with local communities.

January
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2. Application of the Identification & Engagement Procedure

AAU implements the Local Stakeholders Identification and Engagement Procedure to classify stakeholders, assess engagement relevance, define impact pathways, and document collaboration activities.

January
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3. Government Collaboration Mechanisms

The university engages with ministries, commissions, and public agencies through formal frameworks outlined in the Government Collaboration Policy and Government Expert Consultation Procedure.

January
01

4. Community Outreach through Specialized Centers

Centers such as WHC, CCPS, CIE, and Medical Services conduct workshops, training sessions, awareness campaigns, and school partnerships that follow AAU’s engagement procedure.

January
01

5. Hosting Local Stakeholder Activities at the Arena Complex

AAU uses the Arena Complex as a major venue for community events, exhibitions, and stakeholder-driven activities that support local engagement.

Impact Evaluation & Development Plan

Performance Evaluation
- AAU has a structured, transparent, and policy-based stakeholder engagement system.
- Engagement processes are governed by clearly documented policies and procedures.
- Multiple centers actively engage with stakeholders based on their specialization.
- Collaborations include schools, NGOs, municipalities, health entities, and government bodies.
- Activities demonstrate alignment with national priorities and SDG16 targets.
Development Actions

Action 1: Establish a Digital Stakeholder Engagement Portal for data collection, partner registration, and activity documentation.

Action 2: Publish an Annual Stakeholder Engagement Report summarizing partnerships, impact, and activity outcomes.

Action 3: Expand engagement with local municipalities, NGOs, and civil-society groups.

Action 4: Develop cross-sector engagement programs connecting innovation, health, sustainability, and community empowerment.

Action 5: Create a Stakeholder Advisory Council to enhance participatory governance and guide community initiatives.
Benchmarking & Best Practice

Global Best Practices Adopted:
- Stakeholder mapping aligned with international engagement frameworks.
- Multi-sectoral collaboration similar to global civic-engagement universities.
Localization to Jordan’s Context:
- Supports national strategies for youth empowerment, governance participation, and community development.
- Reinforces cooperation with ministries, municipalities, NGOs, and public institutions.
Future Goal (By 2028):
AAU aims to establish a nationally recognized stakeholder engagement ecosystem integrating digital systems, transparent reporting, and multidisciplinary community partnerships.

Institutional Integration Summary

Stakeholder engagement is fully institutionalized within AAU’s governance framework through a documented policy, a structured identification and engagement procedure, and the participation of key centers, including SIRC, GEC, CIE, WHC, CCPS, Medical Services, and the Arena Complex.
These mechanisms ensure that local stakeholders are systematically identified, engaged, and integrated into AAU’s educational, developmental, and community-based activities, reinforcing AAU’s commitment to SDG16.