Jesselton University College (JUC) is pleased to announce the adoption of its Maternity and Paternity Policy, effective from January 2024. This policy represents JUC’s institutional commitment to fostering an inclusive, family friendly academic and working environment that supports women’s participation, advancement, and retention across all levels. It directly contributes to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 5 Gender Equality, SDG 4 Quality Education, and SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities.
The Maternity and Paternity Policy ensures that students and staff at JUC have access to fair, nondiscriminatory, and comprehensive support throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and early childcare. The policy guarantees maternity leave for academic and nonacademic staff in accordance with Malaysian law and also introduces paternity leave provisions to promote shared parenting responsibilities. Pregnant students are provided with academic flexibility, counselling, and guidance to ensure they are not disadvantaged during or after pregnancy and are able to complete their education without penalty or interruption.
This policy also includes provisions for breastfeeding and family care. Lactation rooms are made available on campus for nursing mothers, and all departments are encouraged to implement flexible scheduling or leave arrangements to accommodate childcare needs. Supervisors and lecturers are trained to handle pregnancy related matters with sensitivity and confidentiality, ensuring that students and staff feel supported, not excluded.
To further enhance women’s participation, the policy supports reentry to academic or professional roles after maternity leave, including access to academic advising, career support services, and reintegration workshops. These measures help to reduce dropout rates, prevent career stagnation, and strengthen long term institutional inclusivity.
The Maternity and Paternity Policy will be formally reviewed in 2027 to ensure it remains relevant, inclusive, and aligned with best practices. Its adoption marks a key step in JUC’s long term commitment to gender equality, recognising that supporting parenthood, especially among women, is essential to creating a truly equitable higher education system.
View policy here: https://tinyurl.com/3f2tmu25
