Universities Law in Saudi Arabia

The Universities Law in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a set of regulations that govern higher education in the Kingdom. It defines the nature of universities as independent public institutions, administratively, financially, and academically. The law aims to enhance the academic, research, and societal standing of higher education in the Kingdom and to elevate the status of universities both locally and internationally.

In 1973, a special law for universities in the Kingdom was established under the name of the Supreme Council of Universities Law. This law remained in effect until 1993 when it was replaced by the Law of the Council of Higher Education and Universities, which clarified that universities and other higher education institutions would be governed by the Higher Education Council, and each university would have its own council known as the University Council. The law also outlines the systems for managing colleges or institutes within universities, detailing matters related to their appointment and responsibilities, including deanships, vice-deans, department heads, and faculty members.

On October 30, 2019, the Universities Law was issued, consisting of fifty-eight articles. Article Fifty-Seven of this law repealed the Law of the Council of Higher Education and Universities.

The Universities Law in the Kingdom contributes to modernizing the educational and research processes, enhancing resource efficiency and spending in the management and operation of universities, and developing financial resources and human capacities in line with Saudi Vision 2030. It enables universities to establish academic, administrative, and financial regulations within the approved mechanisms. The law also ensures governance through the Board of Trustees, improves quality standards, and expands participation in decision-making via international advisory boards, faculty councils, and student councils.

The law allows universities to invest and grow their own resources and to select staff based on competence and merit. It promotes the optimal use of human resources by transitioning university employees to the Labor Law and restructuring a significant number of departments and specializations to align with comprehensive national development goals and the evolving needs of the labor market.

The Universities Law in the Kingdom, in its sixth article, establishes the Universities Affairs Council, which is chaired by the Minister of Education. The council's members include representatives from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, Ministry of Economy and Planning, the Education and Training Evaluation Commission, and several university presidents from within the Kingdom.

The Council of Universities Affairs is responsible for approving policies and strategies for higher education, establishing regulatory frameworks for universities, private colleges, and branches of foreign universities. The council also approves the creation of colleges, deanships, institutes, centers, and academic departments within universities.

Article Fifty-One of the Universities Law allows Saudi universities to establish branches outside the Kingdom with the approval of the Council of Ministers, based on a proposal from the Board of Trustees and the endorsement of the Council of Universities Affairs.

The Universities Law in the Kingdom specifies that each university must have a Board of Trustees. The board is responsible for approving the university's vision, mission, and goals, as well as shaping its academic, financial, and administrative policies. The Board of Trustees also approves the university's organizational structure, and governance system, and ensures that the university's vision, mission, and objectives are being met. In addition, the board is tasked with approving the financial and administrative regulations, nominating the university president, approving the appointment of vice presidents, and recommending the establishment, merging, or elimination of colleges, deanships, institutes, centers, and academic departments, or modifying their names, among other tasks.

The Universities Law in the Kingdom stipulates that each university must have a University Council, chaired by the university president. This council is responsible for managing academic, administrative, and financial affairs and for implementing the general policies of the university. The Universities Law in the Kingdom outlines the responsibilities of the University Council, which include proposing the university's vision, mission, and objectives, formulating academic, financial, and administrative policies, and proposing the organizational structure and guide. The council also suggests executive rules for financial and administrative regulations, approves executive rules for academic regulations, and establishes rules for delegating authority within various councils. Additionally, the council appoints faculty members and approves the use of their services through secondment, assignment, or contracting with the public and private sectors, as well as civil society institutions, among other tasks.

The Universities Law stipulates the establishment of a Scientific Council in each university, chaired by the vice president of the university responsible for scientific research. The Scientific Council is responsible for supervising the academic affairs of faculty members, as well as research, studies, and publications. It also oversees the approval of faculty promotions, recommends their appointments, approves sabbaticals and scientific communication for faculty members, and facilitates their participation in external academic and scientific activities. Additionally, the council recommends the use of faculty services through secondment, assignment, or contracting with the public and private sectors or civil society institutions. It also approves the issuance of scientific journals and periodicals, recommends the establishment of scientific societies, and proposes regulations for scholarships and training.

The Universities Law in the Kingdom stipulates the establishment of a college or institute council, chaired by the dean. This council oversees academic, administrative, and financial matters. It is also permitted to delegate some of its responsibilities to the chair. The council has the authority to form committees from among its members or others to study specific tasks assigned to them.

Each academic department within a college or institute must have a Department Council, chaired by the department head, with faculty members of the department serving as council members. The Department Council handles academic, financial, and administrative matters, including setting the core standards that must be included in the academic curricula, ensuring their implementation, and reviewing them periodically. The council is also authorized to delegate some of its responsibilities to the department head, according to the rules for delegating authority as approved by the Board of Trustees.