WHISTLEBLOWING POLICY
1.0 Definitions
1.1 The following words and phrases are specific to this document and shall have the meanings hereby assigned to them:
1.1.1 Academic Members: Faculty Members and Instructional Members.
1.1.2 Contractor: A person or firm that undertakes a contract to supply goods or provide services.
1.1.3 Misconduct (for the purpose of this policy): Conduct that is prohibited as outlined in the Student Conduct Policy (PL-ST-01) or Employee Conduct Policy or Supplier Conduct Policy.
1.1.4 Registrar: The Manager, Admissions and Registration.
1.1.5 Staff: Person(s) employed by the University as Academic Members, or for providing administrative or technical support.
1.1.6 Student: A person who is presently enrolled at the University in a Credit Course or who is designated by the University as a Student.
1.1.7 University: University of Doha for Science and Technology established by Emiri Resolution No. 13 of 2022.
1.1.8 University Community: Staff and Students.
1.1.9 Visitor (for the purpose of this policy): Any individual who is not a Student or member of Staff and who is present on University property for a specific purpose or activity, whether invited or not.
1.1.10 Whistleblowing: Raising a concern or making a disclosure of information that is in the public interest.
1.1.11 Whistleblower: A University Community member, a worker, a contractor, a Visitor, or a third party who, in good faith, submits a confidential or anonymous allegation of Misconduct or potential wrongdoing that has happened, is happening, or is likely to happen and that they are aware of or have suspicions or concerns about.
2.0 Policy Purpose
2.1 The purpose of this policy is to encourage Whistleblowing of any serious activities and/or acts that are or reasonably believed to be illegal, illicit, fraudulent, and/or contravening any applicable laws, University policies, procedures, or regulations.
3.0 Policy Scope
3.1 This policy applies to all University Community members, workers, contractors, Visitors, and third parties wishing to raise concerns regarding Misconduct or potential wrongdoing that has happened, is happening, or is likely to happen, for the benefit of public interest.
4.0 Policy Statements
4.1 The University is committed to fostering an environment where integrity and ethical conduct are upheld and valued. Accordingly, it will create a safe, open, and transparent workplace culture where Whistleblowers are encouraged to raise concerns at the earliest opportunity.
4.2 The University will:
4.2.1 Protect Whistleblowers so that they can report concerns about Misconduct with the utmost confidence and without fear of intimidation, reprisal, or suffering detrimental or adverse treatment from the University, Staff, or Students.
4.2.2 Put in place an identified process to enable University Community members, workers, contractors, Visitors, or third parties to report concerns without fear of reprisal.
4.2.3 Ensure that Whistleblowers will be listened to and that alleged Misconduct will be investigated promptly and fairly dealt with.
4.2.4 Handle disclosures of information with the highest degree of confidentiality and sensitivity. Identifiers of Whistleblowers will be safeguarded and confidentiality will be maintained unless imperative for the completion of a thorough investigation, in which case the concerned individual will be consulted prior to any disclosure.
4.2.5 Take appropriate action against malicious reports submitted in bad faith or with a view to personal gain, including taking appropriate disciplinary action.
5.0 Procedures
5.1 The President will ensure that procedures are developed for the implementation of this policy.
6.0 Related Documents
6.1 HR Policy (PL-HR-01)
6.2 Student Conduct Policy (PL-ST-01)
6.3 Supplier Code of Conduct
6.4 Employees Code of Conduct