Last Updated: November 26, 2025
1. Introduction and Acceptance
1.1 These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the GradSearch platform ("Platform"), operated by GRADSEARCH L.L.C-FZ ("we", "us", "our", "GradSearch").
1.2 By accessing or using the Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms, our Privacy Policy, and all applicable laws and regulations of the United Arab Emirates.
1.3 If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not access or use the Platform.
1.4 If you are located in, resident in, or accessing the Platform from the United States of America, the GradSearch US Terms Addendum (the “US Addendum”) also applies to you. In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the US Addendum and these Terms, the US Addendum shall prevail for Users to whom it applies.
1.5 We reserve the right to amend these Terms at any time without prior notice. Continued use of the Platform following any amendments constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms.
2. Definitions
"Candidate" means a party registered on the Platform seeking employment or personal development opportunities and/or mentorship, identifying as a ‘Candidate’ in the options of profiles upon account registration.
"Employer" means an organization registered on the Platform to develop a network of talent, and to source talent for employment, and to post employment opportunities, identifying as an ‘Employer’ in the options of profiles upon account registration.
"Mentor" means an individual registered on the Platform to provide mentorship services to Candidates, identifying as a ‘Mentor’ in the options of profiles upon account registration.
"Mentorship Meetings" means any meeting that has been arranged between the Candidate and the Mentor via the Platform for which the Candidate has paid or has agreed to pay a fee in consideration for the Mentor providing advice.
"Services" means all services provided through the Platform including mentorship connections, talent sourcing, job postings, events and related features.
"Subscription" means the payment model for Users whereby Users pay a monthly subscription fee as may be offered from time to time on the Platform with fees and payments processing times as set out in the Terms.
"University" means an educational institution that has partnered with GradSearch under either the Free Partnership or Standard Plan.
"Usage" means the payment model whereby Mentors are compensated on a per-session basis, receiving a percentage of net fees for each completed mentorship session as specified in the Terms, with the remainder retained by GradSearch as Platform fees, and payments processed as set out in the Terms.
"User" means any Candidate or Mentor, or any Employer or University or their representative, using the Platform.
3.Eligibility and Registration
3.1 You must have attained at least the age of majority in the jurisdiction that you are located in to use the Platform. If you have not attained the age of majority in the jurisdiction you are in, you must notify GradSearch of such circumstances, who may, at their sole discretion, allow you to use the Platform under the guidance and responsibility of a parent or legal guardian or otherwise.
3.2 You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration and to update such information to maintain its accuracy.
3.3 You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activities that occur under your account.
3.4 You must notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your account or any other security breach.
3.5 GradSearch may offer the option to register or log in using third-party Single Sign-On ("SSO") services (such as Google, Apple, LinkedIn, Microsoft, or other authentication providers). By using SSO login, you:
3.5.1 Authorize GradSearch to access information from your SSO provider account as described in our Privacy Policy;
3.5.2 Agree to the SSO provider's terms of service and privacy policy;
3.5.3 Warrant that you are authorized to use the SSO account for authentication;
3.5.4 Acknowledge that the security of your SSO account affects the security of your GradSearch account;
3.5.5 Remain responsible for the security of your SSO provider account;
3.5.6 Remain responsible for all activity on your Gradsich account accessed via SSO; and
3.5.7 Remain responsible for ensuring your SSO account information is accurate and current.
3.6 If you lose access to your SSO provider account, you may lose access to your GradSearch account unless you have established alternative login methods.
3.7 GradSearch is not responsible for:
3.7.1 SSO provider service interruptions or unavailability;
3.7.2 Changes to SSO provider terms or policies;
3.7.3 Security breaches of SSO provider systems; or
3.7.4 Loss of access due to SSO provider account issues.
3.8 If you use ‘Sign in with Apple’ and choose to hide your email address, you acknowledge that:
3.8.1 We can only communicate with you through Apple's private relay system;
3.8.2 Email delivery may be affected if you disable the relay;
3.8.3 Certain Platform features requiring direct email communication may be limited; and
3.8.4 You are responsible for maintaining the relay connection.
4. User Categories and Access
4.1 Candidates
4.1.1 Candidates may register for free on the Platform.
4.1.2 Candidates may browse available Mentors and select Mentors for Mentorship Meetings.
4.1.3 Candidates may access job postings and apply for positions through the Platform.
4.1.4 Candidates are subject to payment terms as outlined in these Terms or as otherwise agreed.
4.1.5 Users may be provided partial access to the Platform but will only be provided full access upon GradSearch having provided their approval at their sole discretion, which shall be based on internal policies regarding User verification.
4.1.6 In the event that a User profile is not maintained regularly, or contains any inappropriate or inaccurate content, GradSearch reserves the right to remove the profile from public access until changes are made to that profile, or, in the alternative, terminate any contractual relationship with the User at the sole discretion of GradSearch.
4.2 Mentors
4.2.1 Mentors may register on the Platform subject to our approval process, which may be amended from time to time whether or not a formal policy regarding approval has been published, with approval being given at the sole discretion of GradSearch. Mentors may be refused from registration if the Platform is unable to facilitate payments to banks in their country of residence.
4.2.2 Mentors must update their availability to provide Mentorship Meetings on the Platform on a weekly basis at a minimum, or on any such time increment as notified by GradSearch.
4.2.3 Mentors are required to attend all scheduled Mentorship Meetings. Should a Mentor fail to attend a Mentorship Meeting, GradSearch reserves the right to refuse any payment due to that Mentor for that Mentorship Meeting, and further reserves the right to remove the Mentor from access to the Platform.
4.2.4 Mentors shall be compensated according to a Usage or a Subscription payment model.
4.2.5 Payment to Mentors shall be processed on the last Friday of each month, excluding national holidays of the United Arab Emirates. If the last Friday falls on a national holiday, payment shall be processed on the next business day (and are subject to the payment terms of any third-party payments service provider). In the event that a Mentor has not been paid for their services by the expected time, they agree to provide GradSearch with notice of such lack of payment and a reasonable amount of time for GradSearch to investigate and rectify any issues that may have arisen in the processing of payment. Gradsearch applies a minimum amount that a Mentor may claim under any one transfer via the Platform in order to prevent undue costs, and that minimum amount may be amended by GradSearch from time to time.
4.2.6 In the event that a Mentor has not invoiced GradSearch for any payment due to them, GradSearch reserves the right to deem any such payment obligation settled after six (6) calendar years from the moment that that obligation arose.
4.2.7 Any Mentor registering on the Platform hereby warrants and represents that they are legally entitled to provide Mentor services in the UAE, and that all information provided on their profiles are true and accurate. The Mentor hereby indemnifies GradSearch fully from any instances where the Mentor is not permitted to provide mentor services in the UAE, or where the information they have provided on the Platform is false or misleading.
4.2.8 GradSearch makes no guarantee regarding the number of Mentor Meetings a Mentor will be accepted to undertake or the amount a Mentor will earn.
4.2.9 Earnings depend on Mentor availability, Candidate selection, pricing, and other factors outside GradSearch's control.
4.2.10 Mentors may see a discrepancy between amount invoiced in AED and amounts received in their bank accounts, should they be invoicing from a country other than the United Arab Emirates, due to foreign exchange and conversion rate fluctuations.
4.3 Employers
4.3.1 Unless otherwise agreed with GradSearch, Employers may use the Platform under either a Usage or a Subscription model, and on such payment terms as may be agreed with GradSearch on an individual basis.
4.3.2 Any User that registers as an Employer must nominate and register an authorized representative from their organisation who shall regularly maintain the organisation’s profile on the Platform. In the event that the Employer profile is not maintained regularly, or contains any inappropriate or inaccurate content, GradSearch reserves the right to remove the profile from public access until changes are made to that profile, or, in the alternative, terminate any contractual relationship with the Employer at the sole discretion of GradSearch.
4.3.3 Employers may post job opportunities, search Candidates, and utilize the Compatibility Score feature.
4.4 Universities
4.4.1 Terms specific to University partnerships shall be outlined in separate partnership agreements.
4.4.2 Any User that registers as a University must nominate and register an authorized representative from their organisation who shall regularly maintain the organisation’s profile on the Platform.
4.5 Compatibility Score
4.5.1 GradSearch provides an Employer and a Candidate with a "Compatibility Score" regarding job matches; however, this score is in no way guaranteed to be an accurate reflection of compatibility and should be used as guidance only. By relying on the Compatibility Score, a User hereby waves any liability that GradSearch may have as per that User’s reliance on the Compatibility Score, and the User further indemnifies GradSearch fully for any such reliance.
4.6 Analytics
4.6.1 GradSearch provides certain Users with analytics regarding their use of the Platform; however, these analytics are in no way guaranteed to be an accurate reflection of the manner in which a User has utilised or continues to utilise the Platform and should be used as guidance only. By relying on any analytics provided, a User hereby waves any liability that GradSearch may have as per that User’s reliance on those analytics, and the User further indemnifies GradSearch fully for any such reliance.
5. Platform Service
5.1 Mentorship Services
5.1.1 GradSearch facilitates connections between Candidates and Mentors but is not a party to the mentorship relationship in any manner other than in the facilitation of an introduction, and providing a means of communication between the parties, providing a means of payment between the parties.
5.1.2 Mentorship Meeting pricing is determined and offered by GradSearch. GradSearch shall base their pricing on fees quoted by the relevant Mentor, but is under no obligation to divulge the fees quoted by that Mentor, or the fees charged by themselves for offering and coordinating Mentorship Meetings, to any party.
5.1.3 Candidates select Mentors based on availability and preferences. Any information presented on any profile on the Platform is done so by a User themselves, and GradSearch shall have no obligation in reviewing any such information for accuracy, timeliness or efficacy, notwithstanding any choice by GradSearch to do so on their own accord.
5.1.4 GradSearch does not guarantee the quality, suitability, or outcomes of Mentorship Meetings.
5.1.5 Mentors will list a series of times for which they are available to attend Mentorship Meetings, and a Mentor hereby represents that they, in good faith, list any times they have made available with genuine intention to attend a Mentorship Meeting at that time.
5.1.6. A Mentorship Meeting is only confirmed to be taking place once a Candidate has chosen a potential Mentorship Meeting time as listed by a Mentor, has reserved it, has paid for that reservation, and the Mentor has accepted and confirmed their attendance to the Mentorship Meeting at that specific time (“Confirmed Session”). In the event that a Candidate has reserved a listed potential Mentorship Meeting, has reserved it, and paid for it, but the Mentor has not agreed to attend the Mentorship Meeting at that specific time, this is referred to as an “Unconfirmed Session”. In addition:
5.1.6.1. If a Mentorship Meeting remains an Unconfirmed Session 24 hours prior to the scheduled starting time of the Mentorship Meeting, the Candidate shall be refunded any amounts paid towards reserving the Mentorship Meeting in full;
5.1.6.2 If a Mentorship Meeting is listed as available, and the scheduled starting point is within 24 hours of it becoming an Unconfirmed Session (i.e. due to a Candidate having acted accordingly), the Candidate shall be warned that the Mentorship Meeting is listed to take place within 24 hours and, should the Mentor fail to act such that it becomes a Confirmed Session by the scheduled starting time, the Candidate shall be refunded in full for any payment made towards the Unconfirmed Session.
5.1.7 In the event that the reserved Mentorship Meeting remains an Unconfirmed Session, or an alternative time is not agreed to by the Candidate and the Mentor prior to the scheduled starting time of that Mentorship Meeting (i.e. a Confirmed Session has not been established), the Candidate shall be refunded in full for any amounts paid for the Mentorship Meeting that they have reserved.
5.1.8 Either the Candidate or the Mentor may request the other to reschedule a scheduled Mentorship Meeting, and the following shall apply:
5.1.8.1 If the Candidate schedules a request to reschedule a Mentorship Meeting prior to the Mentorship Meeting having become a Confirmed Session and the Mentor does not agree or reply to the reschedule request, the Candidate shall be refunded for their reservation in full;
5.1.8.2 If the Candidate schedules a request to reschedule a Mentorship Meeting after the Mentorship Meeting has become a Confirmed Session and the Mentor does not agree to the reschedule request, or no new starting time is agreed by both the Mentor and the Candidate in writing prior to the most recently confirmed starting time having elapsed, then the starting time most recently confirmed by both parties shall remain valid;
5.1.8.3 A Candidate may request a rescheduling of a Mentorship Meeting but the rescheduled time is only established as a new time for the Confirmed Session as and when the Mentor agrees to the rescheduled time (subject to the below).
5.1.8.4 A Mentor may request a rescheduling of a Confirmed Session at any time. However, the scheduled starting time of the Confirmed Session shall remain unchanged unless the Candidate responds and accepts the proposed change. In the event that a Mentor fails to attend a Mentorship Meeting having proposed a rescheduled starting time, and the Candidate has not replied and accepted that proposed change, the Candidate shall be refunded in full.
5.1.9 GradSearch bears no liability for technical or scheduling delays affecting either Candidates or Mentors from being able to attend or facilitate a Mentorship Meeting. GradSearch’s determination with regards to attendance shall be based on attendance logs and shall be final.
5.1.10 With regards to late attendance to a Mentorship Meeting:
5.1.10.1 If a Mentor arrives to the video conference in which the Mentorship Meeting is taking place no later than five (5) minutes after the scheduled starting time, they shall offer to deliver the full sixty (60) minutes of the Mentorship Meeting and the Candidate shall not be refunded for any such delay, however GradSearch reserves the right, at their sole discretion, to withhold full payment to the Mentor in the event that a complaint is made by the Candidate concerning a Mentor not having arrived on time (with any such withholding being refunded to the Candidate if, at their sole discretion, applied by GradSearch);
5.1.10.2 If a Mentor arrives to the video conference in which the Mentorship Meeting is taking place later than five (5) minutes after the scheduled starting time, and the Candidate has not left the video conference room by that time, they shall offer to deliver the remaining portion of the Mentorship Meeting and the Candidate may apply (and such application must be made no later than seven (7) working days after the date of the Mentorship Meeting) for a pro rata refund for any amount of time that the Mentorship Meeting was reduced by, and such refund will be paid from any amounts due to the Mentor under the reservation made by the Candidate. The Candidate shall be under no obligation to accept this offer and may apply for a full refund if the Mentor arrives later than five (5) minutes after the scheduled starting time.
5.1.10.3 If a Mentor arrives to the video conference in which the Mentorship Meeting is taking place later than five (5) minutes after the scheduled starting time, and the Candidate has left the video conference room by that time, the the Candidate may apply for a refund (and such application must be made no later than seven (7) working days after the date of the Mentorship Meeting) and any such refund will be decided upon by GradSearch on a case by case basis, and with any refund agreed to being paid from any amounts due to the Mentor under the reservation made by the Candidate.
5.1.10.4 If a Candidate arrives at the video conferencing room in which the Mentorship Meeting is taking place later than the scheduled starting time, the Mentor is only obliged to attend for the remaining portion of the Mentorship Meeting as scheduled and the Candidate shall not be eligible for any refund.
5.1.10.5 The Platform will only permit Candidates to join the Mentorship Meeting throughout the scheduled time of that Mentorship Meeting, and for ten (10) minutes past the scheduled end time of the Mentorship Meeting.
5.1.11 With regards to failure to attend a Mentorship Meeting:
5.1.11.1 If a Candidate cancels a Mentorship Meeting that they have reserved and has been accepted by a Mentor with more than 24 hours left before the scheduled starting time of a Mentorship Meeting, then they will be eligible for a 100% refund of any amounts paid upon reservation. The Mentor shall not be eligible for any payment regarding that Mentorship Meeting in such circumstance.
5.1.11.2 If a Candidate cancels a Mentorship Meeting that they have reserved and has been accepted by a Mentor with less than 24 hours left before the scheduled starting time of a Mentorship Meeting, but with more than one (1) hour left, then they will be eligible for a 50% refund of any amounts paid upon reservation. The Mentor shall not be eligible for any payment regarding that Mentorship Meeting in such circumstance.
5.1.11.3 If a Candidate has given less than 1 hours’ notice from the scheduled starting time of a Mentorship Meeting that they will not be able to attend the Mentorship Meeting that they have reserved and has been accepted by a Mentor, then they will not be eligible for any refund of any amounts paid upon reservation.
5.1.11.4 If a Mentor has given less than 24 hours’ notice from the scheduled starting time of a Mentorship Meeting that they will not be able to attend the Mentorship Meeting that they have accepted, or they fail to attend a Mentorship Meeting, then the Candidate will be eligible for a full refund of any amounts paid upon reservation, and any repeat failures to attend will be flagged and may result in suspension or removal of access to the Platform.
5.1.12 In the event that a Candidate wishes to reschedule a Mentorship Meeting prior to the scheduled starting time of the Mentorship Meeting, the Mentor may, at their sole discretion, agree to any such rescheduled time, but is not under any obligation to, and neither the Mentor nor GradSearch is under any obligation to refund the Candidate in the event that they are unable to attend their scheduled Mentorship Meeting.
5.1.13 Subject to the above, a Mentor shall receive any amounts due to them for having facilitated a Mentorship Meeting conditional upon:
(a) full completion of a Mentorship Meeting (or partial payment if the Candidate arrived late);
(b) no active refund claim or dispute being submitted by the relevant Candidate; and
(c) the seven (7) days period during which a Candidate may claim for a refund expiring.
5.2 Talent Sourcing and Job Postings
5.2.1 The Platform enables Employers to post job opportunities and search for Candidates.
5.2.2 GradSearch does not review, vet, endorse, or guarantee any job posting or employment offer made through the Platform.
5.2.3 Any offer made by an Employer is neither reviewed nor vetted by GradSearch.
5.2.4 Employment relationships are solely between the Employer and Candidate. GradSearch is not responsible for the employment relationship or any disputes arising therefrom.
5.2.5 The Platform may display links which redirect a User to another website. GradSearch is not liable for the contents of any website accessed via said link and a User clicks on any such link at their own risk.
5.3 Events Center
5.3.1 The Platform may provide an Events Center where Users can access information about career fairs, workshops, networking events, and other professional development opportunities.
5.3.2 Events may be hosted by GradSearch, Employers, Universities, or third parties, either online or in person.
5.3.3 Registration for events may be subject to additional terms and conditions.
5.3.4 GradSearch is not responsible for the content, quality, or conduct of events listed on the Platform.
5.4 Messaging
5.4.1 The Platform may, from time to time, include messaging functionality to facilitate communication between Users.
5.4.2 GradSearch reserves the right to monitor, review, and store messages sent through the Platform for quality assurance, safety, and compliance purposes.
5.4.3 Users consent to such monitoring by using the messaging feature.
5.4.4 Users must not use messaging for any unlawful, harassing, threatening, or inappropriate purposes. Users from outside of the UAE are reminded to review UAE law with regards to online communications, including but not limited to laws regarding defamation and cybersecurity.
6. Payment and fees
6.1 Payment Processing
6.1.1 All payments on the Platform are processed through a designated payment provider nominated by GradSearch ("DPP").
6.1.2 By making a payment via the Platform, you agree to DPP’s terms and conditions, accessible here.
6.1.3 DPP operates a five-day settlement cycle means that Candidate payments processed on day 1, for example, are settled to the Mentor on business day 6 and payments processed on day 2, are settled on business day 7, and so on. Neither GradSearch nor DPP guarantee settlement of any transactions within (5) business days. Factors such as public holidays, bank non-working days, interruptions in the financial or technical systems and supplier delays may result in slower settlement.
6.1.3 Payment links shall be provided through DPP for all transactions. Users are solely responsible for ensuring that any payment details provided for payment of services offered via the Platform are true and accurate, and GradSearch shall be under no obligation to refund or reimburse any User that has incorrectly entered or agreed to any payment details via the Platform (including but not limited to payment amount, bank details or forms of identification).
6.2 Processing Fees
6.2.1 Candidates using Apple Pay or Google Pay may be charged a processing fee on the transaction amount, the amount being disclosed immediately prior to payment.
6.2.2 This processing fee is in addition to the Mentorship Meeting fee.
6.3 Revenue Split for Mentorship (“Usage”)
6.3.1 For Mentorship Meetings under the Usage model:
6.3.1.1 A percentage of the fees (net of any costs of payment and tax) received by the Platform paid by a Candidate shall be transferred by DPP to the Mentor to their nominated bank account.
6.3.1.2 The remainder of net fees received by the Platform shall be retained by GradSearch.
6.3.2 GradSearch is under no obligation to disclose the percentages of any fees retained by them for the provision of services rendered over the Platform.
6.3.3 GradSearch shall display on the Platform any amount of fees that they deem, at their sole discretion, to be chargeable to a Candidate for Mentorship Meetings.
6.3.4 The Mentor hereby agrees that, in the event that GradSearch discovers that a Mentor has been providing a Candidate that was introduced to them any services as envisaged to have been provided through the Platform, GradSearch shall have the automatic right to pursue that Mentor for any and all damages and harm suffered by GradSearch, including but not limited to moral damages.
6.4 Subscription Model
6.4.1 Users may be offered to subscribe to the Platform under a Subscription at a price offered by GradSearch which may be amended from time to time.
6.4.2 Under the Subscription model, Mentors receive one hundred percent (100%) of any amounts earned through Mentorship Meetings less any transaction costs and taxes.
6.4.3 Any subscription fee payable under the Subscription model, whether paid weekly, monthly or annually or any other time increment, shall be deemed to be payment for access to the Platform under the Subscription model, and the User’s right to terminate will not change regardless of the time period that they have elected to make their payments by and any discount offered accordingly.
6.4.4 The fee for accessing the Platform under a Subscription is non-refundable under any circumstances, including but not limited to:
• Platform downtime;
• Low or zero session bookings;
• Early cancellation of subscription;
• Mentor dissatisfaction with the Platform.
6.4.5 A Subscription automatically renews each week, month or year (as elected by the Mentor) unless cancelled by the Mentor.
6.4.6 Cancellation must be submitted at least 48 hours before the next billing date to avoid charges for the following period.
6.4.7 Upon cancellation, the Mentor may revert to the Usage model or terminate their Mentor account.
6.8 Mentors may switch between Usage and Subscription (Appendix B) models subject to the following:
6.8.1 The Mentor provides thirty (30) days' notice to GradSearch of intending to make such a switch;
6.8.2 The Mentor is not subject to any outstanding payment issues, Terms violations, or pending decisions regarding either; and
6.8.3 Approval for such a switch is provided by GradSearch in its sole discretion.
6.9 GradSearch reserves the right to prevent a Mentor from switching payment models more than once per calendar month.
6.5 Employer Subscriptions
6.5.1 Employer Subscription fees and payment terms shall be provided upon registration or as separately agreed.
6.6 Delays
6.6.1 GradSearch is not responsible for any delays caused by DPP or any other financial institutions or payment processors used as a means of facilitating payments between Users on the Platform. Users make payments at their own risk.
6.7 Refunds and Compensation Mechanism
6.7.1 GradSearch does not provide refunds or compensation to Candidates for Mentorship Meetings that are deemed unsatisfactory or not useful by the Candidate.
6.7.2 All refund requests must be submitted within seven (7) days of the scheduled Mentorship Meeting and must be accompanied with sufficient evidence. Any refunds shall be issued solely at the discretion of GradSearch.
6.8 Tax
6.8.1 Any fees payable to GradSearch or to a Mentor may be subject to tax. Users are solely responsible for any tax implications resulting from their use of the Platform and are encouraged to seek advice from a reputable advisor on UAE tax matters.
7. Data Collection and Use
7.1 GradSearch collects personal data as necessary to provide Services. Data collected includes:
• Location, region, and city
• Nationality
• Phone number
• Date of birth
• For residents of the UAE: Emirates ID
• Professional and educational information
• Payment information (processed through DPP)
• Communication data (messages sent through the Platform)
7.2 Full details regarding data collection, use, storage, and your rights are outlined in our Privacy Policy.
7.3 By using the Platform, you consent to the collection and use of your data as described in the Privacy Policy.
8. Data Processing and Third Parties
8.1 GradSearch processes User data through third parties for automation and integration purposes.
8.2 Payment data is processed through DPP in accordance with their privacy and security policies.
8.3 By using the Platform, you consent to data processing by these third-party service providers, and any other third-party service providers required in order to provide you the services on the Platform.
8.4 GradSearch maintains data processing agreements with any such third-party processors to ensure compliance with UAE data protection regulations.
9. User Obligations and Conduct
9.1 You agree to use the Platform only for lawful purposes and in accordance with these Terms.
9.2 You must not:
9.2.1 Use the Platform in any way that violates UAE law or regulation;
9.2.2 Impersonate any person or entity or misrepresent your affiliation with any person or entity;
9.2.3 Interfere with or disrupt the Platform or servers or networks connected to the Platform;
9.2.4 Attempt to gain unauthorized access to any portion of the Platform or any other systems or networks;
9.2.5 Upload or transmit viruses, malware, or any other malicious code;
9.2.6 Harass, threaten, defame, or otherwise violate the rights of other Users;
9.2.7 Use the Platform to distribute spam or unsolicited communications;
9.2.8 Collect or harvest information about Users without their consent;
9.2.9 Use any automated system to access the Platform without our express written permission.
9.3 Mentors specifically agree to:
9.3.1 Maintain current and accurate availability on the Platform;
9.3.2 Attend all scheduled Mentorship Meetings, and to do so in a professional punctual and considerate manner;
9.3.3 Provide mentorship in a professional and ethical manner;
9.3.4 Update availability as required.
9.4 Employers specifically agree to:
9.4.1 Ensure all job postings are accurate, lawful, and non-discriminatory;
9.4.2 Comply with all applicable UAE employment laws, and the laws of any jurisdiction applicable to the job posting;
9.4.3 Not use the Platform to engage in fraudulent or unethical recruitment practices.
9.5 Mentor Confidentiality Obligations
9.5.1 Mentors agree to maintain strict confidentiality regarding all information disclosed by Candidates, whether such information is shared:
9.5.1.1 Through the Platform (including messaging, profile information, or any Platform features);
9.5.1.2 During Mentorship Meetings (whether conducted virtually or in person); and
9.5.1.3 In any other communication related to the mentorship relationship.
9.5.2 Confidential information includes but is not limited to:
9.5.2.1 Personal circumstances and background;
9.5.2.2 Career aspirations and strategies;
9.5.2.3 Educational records and academic performance;
9.5.2.4 Job search activities and applications;
9.5.2.5 Financial information;
9.5.2.6 Any other information disclosed in the context of the mentorship relationship.
9.5.3 Mentors shall not:
9.5.3.1 Disclose Candidate information to third parties without express written consent of both the Candidate and GradSearch;
9.5.3.2 Use Candidate information for purposes other than providing mentorship services;
9.5.3.3 Retain copies of Candidate information beyond what is necessary for providing services;
9.5.3.4 Share Candidate information on social media or public forums.
9.5.4 The confidentiality obligation survives termination of the Mentor's account and the conclusion of any mentorship relationship.
9.5.5 Exceptions to confidentiality apply only where:
9.5.5.1 Disclosure is required by UAE law or court order;
9.5.5.2 The Mentor reasonably believes disclosure is necessary to prevent serious harm to the Candidate or others;
9.5.5.3 The Candidate and GradSearch have both provided explicit written consent for disclosure.
9.5.6 Breach of confidentiality obligations may result in:
9.5.6.1 Immediate termination of the Mentor's account;
9.5.6.2 Forfeiture of unpaid fees;
9.5.6.3 Legal action by GradSearch or the affected Candidate;
9.5.6.4 Reporting to relevant professional bodies or authorities.
9.6 Candidate Acknowledgment Regarding Information Disclosure
9.6.1 Candidates acknowledge and agree that:
9.6.1.1 Any information voluntarily provided to Mentors (whether through the Platform, in Mentorship Meetings, or otherwise) may not be kept confidential by the Mentor despite the confidentiality obligations contained herein;
9.6.1.2 GradSearch cannot guarantee that Mentors will comply with confidentiality obligations;
9.6.1.3 GradSearch does not monitor, control, or verify what is discussed in Mentorship Meetings;
9.6.1.4 Mentors are independent third parties and GradSearch is not responsible for their conduct.
9.6.2 Candidates are solely responsible for:
9.6.2.1 Determining what information to disclose to other Users;
9.6.2.2 Assessing the sensitivity of information before disclosure;
9.6.2.3 The consequences of any information they choose to share.
9.6.3 Candidates should exercise caution and discretion when sharing:
9.6.3.1 Highly sensitive personal information;
9.6.3.2 Confidential business or employer information;
9.6.3.3 Information that could cause harm if disclosed;
9.6.3.4 Financial or security-related details.
9.6.4 Candidates fully and irrevocably indemnify and hold harmless GradSearch, its officers, directors, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from or related to:
9.6.4.1 Information voluntarily disclosed by the Candidate to any Mentor;
9.6.4.2 Any Mentor's breach of confidentiality obligations;
9.6.4.3 Unauthorized use or disclosure of Candidate information by Mentors;
9.6.4.4 Any consequences resulting from information shared during Mentorship Meetings;
9.6.4.5 Any disputes between Candidates and Mentors regarding confidential information.
9.6.5 This indemnification obligation applies regardless of:
9.6.5.1 Whether the Mentor breached confidentiality obligations;
9.6.5.2 Whether GradSearch was negligent in vetting or monitoring Mentors;
9.6.5.3 The nature or severity of the consequences of disclosure.
9.6.6 By using the mentorship services, Candidates expressly acknowledge that they:
9.6.6.1 Have read and understood the risks of information disclosure;
9.6.6.2 Voluntarily assume all risks associated with sharing information with Mentors;
9.6.6.3 Waive any claims against Gradsich related to information disclosure.
10. Intellectual Property(s)
10.1 All content on the Platform, including but not limited to trademarks, text, graphics, logos, images, software, and functionality, is the property of GradSearch or its licensors and is protected by United Arab Emirates and international copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.
10.2 You are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to access and use the Platform for its intended purposes.
10.3 You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, create derivative works of, publicly display, or otherwise exploit any Platform content without our express written permission.
10.4 User-generated content (profiles, messages, etc.) remains the property of the User, but by submitting content to the Platform, you grant GradSearch a worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive license to use, reproduce, modify, and display such content for purposes of providing and promoting the Services.
10.5 Any SSO provider logos, trademarks, or branding displayed on the Platform are the property of their respective owners.
10.6 GradSearch’s use of SSO provider branding does not imply endorsement by or affiliation with the SSO provider beyond the technical integration of authentication services.
11. Platform availability and timeline
11.1 GradSearch endeavors to maintain Platform availability but does not guarantee uninterrupted access.
11.2 The Platform may be unavailable due to:
• Scheduled maintenance;
• Emergency maintenance;
• Technical failures;
• Circumstances beyond our reasonable control.
11.3 GradSearch shall not be liable for any downtime, service interruption, or loss of access to the Platform.
11.4 Where reasonably practical, GradSearch shall provide advance notice of scheduled maintenance.
11.5 No refunds, credits, or compensation shall be provided for Platform downtime or unavailability unless expressly agreed in writing.
12. Disclaimers and limitation of liability
12.1 THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED.
12.2 GradSearch SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
12.2.1 Warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement;
12.2.2 Warranties regarding the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of Platform content;
12.2.3 Warranties regarding compatibility scores, job matches, or mentorship outcomes
12.2.4 Warranties regarding the conduct, qualifications, or credentials of Mentors or Employers.
12.3 Unless otherwise expressly stated in writing, GradSearch DOES NOT REVIEW, VET, ENDORSE, OR GUARANTEE:
12.3.1 The qualifications or conduct of Mentors;
12.3.2 The legitimacy or compliance of Employer job postings;
12.3.3 The accuracy of User-provided information;
12.3.4 The outcomes of Mentorship Meetings or employment relationships.
12.4 TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY UAE LAW, GradSearch SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR:
12.4.1 Any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages;
12.4.2 Loss of profits, revenue, data, or business opportunities;
12.4.3 Damages arising from use of or inability to use the Platform;
12.4.4 Damages arising from User interactions or relationships formed through the Platform;
12.4.5 Damages arising from third-party conduct or content.
12.5 GradSearch'S TOTAL LIABILITY TO ANY USER SHALL NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNT PAID BY THAT USER TO GradSearch IN THE SIX (6) MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM.
12.6 Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of certain warranties or liabilities. In such jurisdictions, the above limitations may not apply to the extent prohibited by law.
13. Indemnification
13.1 You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless GradSearch, its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents, and licensors from and against all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from:
13.1.1 Your use of the Platform;
13.1.2 Your violation of these Terms;
13.1.3 Your violation of any rights of third parties;
13.1.4 Your violation of applicable law;
13.1.5 Content you submit to the Platform;
13.1.6 Your conduct in relation to other Users.
13.2 This indemnification obligation shall survive termination of these Terms and your use of the Platform.
14. Privacy, data protection and sso security
14.1 Your use of the Platform is subject to our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference.
14.2 We process personal data in accordance with UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 on the Protection of Personal Data and its implementing regulations.
14.3 By using the Platform, you consent to the collection, use, and processing of your personal data as described in the Privacy Policy.
14.4 Users who authenticate via SSO providers must:
14.4.1 Maintain the security of their SSO provider account with the same diligence as a GradSearch password;
14.4.2 Enable multi-factor authentication on their SSO provider account where available;
14.4.3 Comply with the SSO provider's security requirements; and
14.4.4 Immediately notify Gradsich if their SSO provider account is compromised.
14.5 Users are fully responsible for all activities on their GradSearch account accessed via SSO, regardless of whether the SSO provider account was compromised.
14.6 Security vulnerabilities in SSO provider systems are outside the control of GradSearch, and GradSearch is not liable for unauthorized access resulting from SSO provider security breaches.
14.7 Users should review and understand the security practices of any SSO provider they choose to use.
14.8 GradSearch may, at its sole discretion:
14.8.1 Suspend SSO login options for security reasons;
14.8.2 Require additional verification for SSO users;
14.8.3 Disconnect compromised SSO connections; or
14.8.4 Limit SSO access to certain User categories
15. Termination
15.1 Unless other terms supersede these terms specific to you as a User, you may terminate your account with GradSearch at any time by contacting us or using account deletion features if available.
15.2 GradSearch may suspend or terminate your account and access to the Platform immediately, without prior notice or liability, for any reason, including but not limited to:
15.2.1 Breach of these Terms;
15.2.2 Fraudulent, illegal, or harmful conduct;
15.2.3 Request by law enforcement or government authorities;
15.2.4 Extended periods of inactivity;
15.2.5 Technical or security reasons.
15.3 Upon termination:
15.3.1 Your right to access the Platform shall immediately cease;
15.3.2 GradSearch may delete your account and content or may keep it privately accessible only to GradSearch for a period of up to ten (10) years.
15.3.3 Outstanding payment obligations shall remain due;
15.3.4 Provisions of these Terms that by their nature should survive termination shall remain in effect
16. Governing law and dispute resolution
Certain jurisdiction-specific terms apply in addition to or in place of parts of these Terms. If you are located in, resident in, or accessing the Platform from the United State of America, the GradSearch US Terms Addendum governs, and where it differs from this Section 16 or any other provision of these Terms, the US Addendum will control as to your use of the Platform.
16.1 These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the United Arab Emirates and the Emirate of Dubai in which GradSearch is registered.
16.2 Any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Platform shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the United Arab Emirates.
16.3 You agree to first attempt to resolve any dispute informally by contacting GradSearch before initiating formal proceedings.
17. Modification of terms
17.1 GradSearch reserves the right to modify, amend, or update these Terms at any time without prior notice.
17.2 Modified Terms shall be effective immediately upon posting to the Platform.
17.3 Your continued use of the Platform following any modifications constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms.
17.4 It is your responsibility to review these Terms periodically for changes.
18. General Provisions
18.1 Entire Agreement: Unless otherwise agreed in writing, these Terms, together with the Privacy Policy and any applicable payment appendices, constitute the entire agreement between you and GradSearch regarding use of the Platform.
18.2 Severability: If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
18.3 Waiver: No waiver of any provision of these Terms shall be deemed a further or continuing waiver of such provision or any other provision.
18.4 Assignment: You may not assign or transfer these Terms or your rights hereunder without our prior written consent. GradSearch may assign these Terms without restriction.
18.5 Force Majeure: GradSearch shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performance due to circumstances beyond its reasonable control, as defined by the laws of the United Arab Emirates.
18.6 Notices: Notices to GradSearch should be sent to our registered address or contact email provided on the Platform. Notices to you may be provided through the Platform, to your registered email, or as otherwise permitted by law.
18.7 Language: These Terms are prepared in English. In the event of any conflict between English and translated versions, the English version shall prevail.
19. Contact information
For questions, concerns, or notices regarding these Terms, please contact us at:
GradSearch
[Contact email address]
[Registered address in UAE]
