Sustainability Board Terms Of Reference (TOR)
Sustainability at RAKMHSU
Roles & Responsibilities — Terms of Reference
Terms of Reference
Sustainability Board
The Terms of Reference under which the Sustainability Board operates.
- Purpose
- The Sustainability Board at RAKMHSU is established to lead, guide, and oversee the university's sustainability agenda, ensuring the integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles across all institutional functions in alignment with national priorities and global best practices.
- Scope of Role
- The Board covers all colleges, departments, administrative units, faculty, staff, and students, and oversees sustainability initiatives across operations, academics, research, community engagement, and institutional development.
- Key Objectives
- Institutionalize sustainability across all university functions.
- Strengthen RAKMHSU's position in global sustainability and impact rankings.
- Enhance integration of sustainability in curriculum, research, and student engagement.
- Establish clear governance, monitoring, and reporting mechanisms.
- Key Responsibilities
- Develop and periodically review the university's sustainability strategy, policies, and action plans.
- Promote sustainable practices in campus operations, including energy, water, waste, and procurement.
- Integrate sustainability concepts into academic programs, research priorities, and student activities.
- Monitor performance against sustainability goals and benchmarks, including global rankings and frameworks.
- Facilitate awareness programs, training, and engagement initiatives for stakeholders.
- Collaborate with internal and external partners to advance sustainability initiatives.
- Ensure compliance with UAE environmental regulations and relevant international standards.
- Prepare and submit periodic sustainability performance and impact reports.
- Reporting Lines
- The Sustainability Board reports to the University Council through the Chairperson and submits annual sustainability performance and progress report.
- Frequency of Meetings
- The Board will meet at least once per semester, with additional meetings convened as required to address strategic or urgent matters.
- Quorum & Decision Making
- A quorum is achieved when 50% of the members, plus the Chairperson (or delegate), are present. Decisions are made by simple majority vote.
- Term of Appointment
- Members are appointed for a renewable term of two (2) years, based on their roles, expertise, and institutional requirements.
Terms of Reference
Sustainability Committee
The Terms of Reference under which the Sustainability Committee operates.
- Purpose
- The Sustainability Committee is established to provide strategic oversight, coordination, and assurance for sustainability-related initiatives at Ras Al Khaimah Medical & Health Sciences University (RAKMHSU).
The Committee supports the University's strategic objectives by promoting the systematic integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) sustainability principles across academic, research, operational, and community engagement activities, in alignment with regulatory, accreditation, and benchmarking requirements. - Scope of Role
- Operates at the university level through the Sustainability Office, with the Sustainability Committee functioning under its structure to provide advisory, coordinating, and monitoring oversight.
- Cover environmental sustainability including energy, water, waste, emissions, sustainable procurement, and campus operations
- Cover social sustainability including health, wellbeing, equity, diversity, inclusion, and community engagement
- Cover governance and economic sustainability including risk management, compliance, transparency, and reporting
- Review and recommend sustainability-related policies, procedures, plans, initiatives, and performance targets
- Monitor sustainability performance across all colleges, departments, and support units
- Key Responsibilities
- Ensure sustainability initiatives are aligned with the University Strategic Plan and governance framework
- Identify sustainability-related risks, opportunities, and improvement areas
- Review sustainability action plans and proposed initiatives
- Monitor progress against approved sustainability objectives and KPIs
- Ensure sustainability indicators are incorporated into institutional dashboards and quality review cycles
- Support the integration of sustainability concepts into curricula, research, clinical practice, and community engagement without interfering with academic autonomy
- Promote university-wide sustainability awareness activities and engagement initiatives
- Encourage participation of faculty, staff, and students through structured initiatives and working groups
- Review annual sustainability performance reports
- Oversee participation in recognized sustainability benchmarking and ranking frameworks
- Submit evidence-based recommendations to senior management for improvement and resourcing
- Reporting Lines
- The Sustainability Board reports to the University Council through the Chairperson and submits annual sustainability performance and progress report.
- Frequency of Meetings
- Twice per academic year or as required/needed
- Quorum & Decision Making
- A quorum is achieved when 50% of the members, plus the Chairperson (or delegate), are present. Decisions are made by simple majority vote.
- Term of Appointment
- Members are appointed for a renewable term of two (2) years, based on their roles, expertise, and institutional requirements.