The reception and dinner in Riyadh, which is due to take place on March, was originally advertised to alumni online with the caveat: ¡°Please note this event is for men only.¡±

The wording was amended to offer further explanation only after a complaint was made. The Leeds website now clarifies that the institution was unable to gain authorisation for a mixed event from the Saudi firm that owns the hotel where the meeting is to take place.

A female member of staff at Leeds contacted Times Higher Education to complain that the event runs contrary to the equality and diversity policy in the university¡¯s Royal Charter.

In the charter, Leeds pledges to ¡°ensure that all individuals are treated fairly, with dignity and respect; that the opportunities it provides are open to all; and that the university provides a safe, supportive and welcoming environment for staff, students and visitors¡±.

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The Leeds academic, who asked to remain anonymous, said it was ¡°outrageous¡± that the university had decided to press ahead with the event in the knowledge that women would be excluded.

¡°°Õ³ó±ð University of Leeds is meant to be an institution that promotes equality,¡± she said. ¡°Part of its mission is that it will educate anybody, and for it to support discrimination like this is just dreadful.¡±

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She added that the discrimination affected both female alumni and staff.

¡°°Õ³ó±ð university is only sending blokes over there, so female staff are effectively being discriminated against,¡± she said.

A spokeswoman for the university said that the Riyadh event was one of many organised for Leeds alumni around the world.

¡°We always talk to academics, former students and contacts in the host country to plan events that are respectful of the local culture,¡± she said. ¡°In this case, we were advised that a mixed gathering was inappropriate ¨C and female former students would be unlikely to attend.

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¡°After careful consideration, a men-only event was therefore planned on this occasion, with a women-only event planned for later in the year in Jeddah, where we have a larger number of female alumni.¡±

sarah.cunnane@tsleducation.com