Universities Law
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Rendered by Royal Decree No. M/27 dated 02/03/1441H, based on the Decision of the Council of Ministers No. 183 dated 01/03/1441H Council of Universities’ Affairs, General Secretariat; First Edition, 1442 H (2020 AD)
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Law of Universities
Rendered by Royal Decree No. M/27 dated 02/03/1441H, based on the Decision of the Council of Ministers No. 183 dated 01/03/1441H Council of Universities’ Affairs, General Secretariat; First Edition, 1442 H (2020 AD)
Extracted and cleaned text for reading and search; the officially published edition prevails.
The Royal Decree No. M/27 dated 02/03/1441H
By the help of Allah
We Salman Bin Abdulaziz
The King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Upon article 70 of the Constitution rendered by the Royal Order No. A/90 on 27/08/1412H.;
Upon article 20 of the Law of the Council of Ministers rendered by the Royal Order No. A/13 on 03/03/1414H.;
Upon article 17 and article 18 of the Law of Shura Council rendered by the Royal Order No. A/91 on 27/08/1412H.;
After reviewing the decisions of the Shura Council No. 239/61 dated 28/02/1440H. and No. 224/56 dated 19/01/1441H.;
And after reviewing the Decision of the Council of Ministers No. 183 dated 01/03/1441H.
We decide the following:
First: to approve the Law of Universities in the attached form.
Second: the Council of Universities Affairs shall practice its tasks and terms of reference set forth in the Law from the date of being published in the official gazette.
Third: the Council of Universities Affairs shall designate at most three universities- in the first stage- to apply the Law to them after being effective and to apply the Law after that to the other universities gradually by the order of the Prime Minister upon suggestion of the Council of Universities Affairs, and the Council shall raise a report to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques every two years on the results of the Law implementation, the positives or difficulties or others, if any, provided that the currently applicable laws and regulations- including the Law of Higher Education and Universities rendered by the Royal Decree No. M/8 on 04/06/1414H. shall continue to apply to the universities which are not covered by the new law until they are covered by it.
Fourth: the Council of Universities Affairs shall practice the powers of the (cancelled) Council of Higher Education set forth in the Law of Higher Education and Universities rendered by the Royal Decree No. M/8 on 04/06/1414H. for the universities which will continue practicing the cancelled Law.
Fifth: as set forth in item (Third) of this Decree, the universities to which the Law of Universities will be applied first shall be granted a transitional period of one year from the Law effective date during which the current university regulations application will continue until the Council of Universities Affairs issues the financial, administrative and academic regulations for universities to be in conformity with the Law provisions and without prejudice to the authority of the boards of trustees to supervise universities. The Council of Universities Affairs has the right to increase the transitional period for those universities or for some of them provided that the extension period shall not exceed three years from the expiry date of the transitional period of one year.
Sixth: the universities employees to whom the Law of Universities will be applied as set forth in item (third) of this Decree including the teaching staff members and the like, the administrative and technical employees who are on the job at the time of the Law effectiveness shall continue working according to the job regulations to which they are subject. The Council of Universities Affairs shall suggest the necessary alternative and measures to deal with them including transferring them to the Labor Law without prejudice to their acquired financial rights, and a letter shall be raised on that to complete the necessary procedures.
Seventh: HRH the Deputy Premier, the ministers and the heads of the concerned departments have to carry out this Decree.
Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
The Decision of the Council of Ministers No. 183 dated 01/03/1441H
The Council of Ministers,
After reviewing the document No. 6317 dated 30/01/1441H. received from the Royal Court including the letter of the Ministry of Education No. 24723 dated 13/02/1440H. on the draft law of universities,
After reviewing the draft law referred to,
After reviewing the Law of Higher Education and Universities rendered by the Royal Decree No. M/8 on 04/06/1414H.,
After reviewing the Law of Awqaf General Authority rendered by the Royal Decree No. M/11 dated 26/02/1437H.
After reviewing the Decision of the Council of Ministers No. 409 dated 12/09/1436H.,
After reviewing the minutes No. 1318 dated 10/11/1438H., No. 1287 dated 22/09/1439H., No. 1392 dated 29/07/1440H., No. 2205 dated 25/12/1440H., No. 202 dated 17/02/1441H. and the memoranda No. 503 dated 28/04/1439H., No. 1620 dated 16/12/1439H. and No. 9 dated 09/01/1441H. prepared by the Board of Experts of the Council of Ministers,
After reviewing the two recommendations No. 37-58/39/D dated 14/11/1439H. and No. 11-1/41/D dated 06/01/1441H. and the minutes No. 21/41/M dated 22/02/1441H. prepared by the Council of Economic Affairs and Development,
After reviewing the two decisions of the Shura Council No. 239/61 dated 28/02/1440H. and No. 224/56 dated 19/01/1441H., and
After reviewing the Recommendation of the General Committee of the Council of Ministers No. 1415 dated 01/03/1441H.
Decides the following:
First: to approve the Law of Universities in the attached form.
Second: the Council of Universities Affairs shall practice its tasks and terms of reference set forth in the Law from the date of being published in the official gazette.
Third: the Council of Universities Affairs shall designate at most three universities- in the first stage- to apply the Law to them after being effective and to apply the Law after that to the other universities gradually by the order of the Prime Minister upon suggestion of the Council of Universities Affairs, and the Council shall raise a report to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques every two years on the results of the Law implementation, the positives or difficulties or others, if any, provided that the currently applicable laws and regulations- including the Law of Higher Education and Universities rendered by the Royal Decree No. M/8 on 04/06/1414H. shall continue to apply to the universities which are not covered by the new law until they are covered by it.
Fourth: the Council of Universities Affairs shall practice the powers of the (cancelled) Council of Higher Education set forth in the Law of Higher Education and Universities rendered by the Royal Decree No. M/8 on 04/06/1414H. for the universities which will continue practicing the cancelled Law.
Fifth: as set forth in item (Third) of this Decree, the universities to which the Law of Universities will be applied first shall be granted a transitional period of one year from the Law effective date during which the current university regulations application will continue until the Council of Universities Affairs issues the financial, administrative and academic regulations for universities to be in conformity with the Law provisions and without prejudice to the authority of the boards of trustees to supervise universities. The Council of Universities Affairs has the right to increase the transitional period for those universities or for some of them provided that the extension period shall not exceed three years from the expiry date of the transitional period of one year.
Sixth: the universities employees to whom the Law of Universities will be applied as set forth in item (third) of this Decree including the teaching staff members and the like, the administrative and technical employees who are on the job at the time of the Law effectiveness shall continue working according to the job regulations to which they are subject. The Council of Universities Affairs shall suggest the necessary alternative and measures to deal with them including transferring them to the Labor Law without prejudice to their acquired financial rights, and a letter shall be raised on that to complete the necessary procedures.
A draft royal decree on that has been prepared and attached to this Decision.
Seventh: the Council of Universities Affairs shall by agreement with the Ministry of Finance define the items of payment from the subsidy provided to the universities to which the new law will be applied.
Eighth: the universities have to comply with their allocations within the limits of the budget decided to them
Ninth: the work of the Temporary Committee setup by the Decision of the Council of Ministers No. 409 dated 12/09/1436H. shall terminate from the date in which the Council of Universities Affairs assumes its tasks as set forth in item (Second) of this Decision.
Prime Minister
Transcribed text
Chapter 1: Definitions and Objectives
Article 1: Definitions
In this Law, the following terms shall have the meanings assigned thereto:
Law: Law of Universities.
Council of University Affairs: The body entrusted with regulating university affairs and setting their policies and regulations, in accordance with the Law.
Board of Trustees: The body entrusted with the governance and oversight of the university’s academic, administrative, and financial performance, in accordance with the Law.
University Council: The body entrusted with managing the university’s academic, educational, administrative, and financial affairs and implementing its general policy, in accordance with the Law.
Academic Council: The body entrusted with the university’s academic affairs, studies and research, and publication, in accordance with the Law.
College: An academic establishment composed of a group of academic departments falling under a general field of study.
College Council: The body entrusted with managing the college’s academic affairs, in accordance with the Law.
Department: An academic unit representing an academic specialization.
Department Council: The body entrusted with managing the department’s academic affairs.
Faculty: Full professors, associate professors, and assistant professors; lecturers and teaching assistants shall be deemed faculty members.
Article 2: Objectives
The Law aims to regulate higher education and enhance its academic, research, and societal status at the local, regional, and international levels.
Article 3
A university is a public non-profit academic institution with a financially and administratively independent legal personality, which contributes to the implementation of the State’s educational policy, in accordance with the Law.
Article 4
1.Establishment of universities and their branches shall be pursuant to a decision by the Council of Ministers upon a recommendation by the Council of University Affairs.
2.A university consists of colleges, deanships, academic departments, institutes, centers, educational units below university level, and university hospitals.
Article 5
The governance, administration, and management of university affairs shall be undertaken by:
Chapter 2: Council of University Affairs
Article 6
A council named the "Council of University Affairs" shall be established, comprising the following:
1.Minister of Education, Chairman.
2.Vice Minister of Education for Universities, Research, and Innovation, member.
3.Vice Minister of Finance, member.
4.Vice Minister of Civil Service, member.
5.Vice Minister of Labor and Social Development, member.
6.Vice Minister of Economy and Planning, member.
7.President of the Education and Training Evaluation Commission, member.
8.Five university presidents, one of whom shall be a private university president, members.
9.Two experts, members.
The Minister of Education shall nominate the members referred to in paragraphs (8) and (9) who shall be appointed pursuant to an order by the President of the Council of Ministers for a period of three years, renewable once.
Amendment: paragraph (2) of this Article was amended by Council of Ministers Decision No. 514 dated 1447/7/24 AH, which replaced “Vice Minister of Education for Universities, Research, and Innovation” with “Vice Minister of Education”.
Article 7
Notwithstanding other powers assigned thereto under the Law, the Council of University Affairs shall have the following powers:
1.Approve academic policies and strategies.
2.Approve the regulations of private universities and colleges and branches of foreign universities and monitor the implementation thereof.
3.Approve the financial, administrative, and academic regulations of universities.
4.Approve the regulations governing investments and self-generated revenues of universities.
5.Approve the regulations governing the acceptance of donations, gifts, and bequests, as well as disbursement therefrom.
6.Approve the regulations governing the management of awqaf at universities, in coordination with the General Authority for Awqaf.
7.Approve the regulations governing academic societies, research chairs, as well as research, innovation, and entrepreneurship centers at universities.
8.Approve the regulations for establishing science museums at universities in coordination with the relevant agencies.
9.Approve the regulations governing student funds at universities.
10.Governance and evaluation of universities’ academic, administrative, and financial performance.
11.Approve the rules for the nomination of university presidents.
12.Recommend the approval of the establishment, cancellation, or merger of universities and branches thereof, private colleges, and branches of foreign universities, and submit the same to the Council of Ministers for approval.
13.Approve the establishment, merger, cancellation, or amendment of names of colleges, deanships, institutes, centers, and academic departments.
14.Determine the remunerations and benefits of the chairman, vice-chairman, and members of the board of trustees.
15.Determine the salary and benefits of the university president.
16.Determine the remunerations and benefits of the chairman and members of the university council.
17.Determine the remunerations and benefits of university vice-presidents, college deans and vice-deans, heads of departments, as well as members and secretaries of academic councils.
18.Determine the remunerations and benefits of the General Secretary of the Council of University Affairs.
19.Recommend approval of academic and technical cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding between universities and foreign institutions.
20.Determine the programs and courses for which a university may charge fees, and set the General Rules governing such fees.
21.Approve the university’s annual report on activities and achievements, and submit it to the Council of Ministers.
22.Oversee the performance of boards of trustees and ensure the validity of their decisions.
23.Resolve any conflict of powers between the board of trustees and the university council.
24.Review issues referred to it by the Chairman or proposed by any of its members.
The Council may delegate certain powers to any of the boards of trustees according to the regulations approved by the Council of University Affairs. It may form standing or ad hoc committees from among its members or others to review matters it refers thereto.
Article 8
The Council of University Affairs shall convene upon a call by its Chairman or his designee at least once every four months. The meeting shall only be valid if attended by at least two thirds of the members, including the Chairman or his deputy. Decisions shall be passed by majority vote of attending members; in case of a tie, the chairman of the meeting shall have the casting vote.
The Chairman of the Council may invite others to attend Council meetings in a non-voting capacity.
Article 9
1.The Council of University Affairs shall have a general secretary to be appointed pursuant to an order by the President of the Council of Ministers upon nomination by the Chairman of the Council of University Affairs.
2.An operating program budget shall be allocated to the Secretariat of the Council of University Affairs and shall be approved within the budget of the Ministry of Education.
Article 10
The General Secretariat of the Council of University Affairs shall be responsible for the following:
1.Supporting the Council in performing its duties and responsibilities, conducting its studies, and providing data and information necessary for rendering its decisions, and monitoring the implementation of such decisions.
2.Preparing for meetings of the Council and its committees.
3.Preparing agendas for Council meetings and communicate the same to Council members.
4.Communicating Council decisions to relevant agencies and monitoring their implementation.
5.Coordinating with government agencies on behalf of the Council.
6.Conducting the Council’s administrative and financial work.
Chapter 3: Boards of Trustees
Article 11
Each university shall have a board of trustees whose chairman, vice-chairman and members, except for the university president, shall be appointed pursuant to an order by the President of the Council of Ministers upon nomination by the Chairman of the Council of University Affairs for a term of three years, renewable once. The chairman of the board of trustees shall report to the Chairman of the Council of University Affairs with respect to the powers of the board of trustees stipulated under the Law.
Article 12
The university board of trustees shall be composed of the following:
1.Four members with expertise in university education.
2.Three members from the private sector with expertise in finance, investment, and law.
3.University president.
4.Three faculty members nominated by the university council.
The board’s chairman and vice chairman shall be from among the members mentioned in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Article.
Article 13
Subject to the Law as well as the rules and regulations issued by the Council of University Affairs, the university board of trustees shall have the following powers:
1.Approve the university’s vision, mission, and objectives, and set its academic, financial, and administrative policies.
2.Approve the university’s organizational structure.
3.Assume governance of the university, and ensure realization of its vision, mission, and objectives.
4.Approve the implementation procedures for the university’s financial and administrative regulations.
5.Nominate university president.
6.Approve the appointment of university vice-presidents.
7.Recommend the approval of the establishment, merger, cancellation, or amendment of names of colleges, deanships, institutes, centers, and academic departments.
8.Approve the regulations governing the appointment of deans of colleges, deanships, institutes, and centers, and heads of departments.
9.Approve the regulations governing the support of research, innovation, authorship, translation, and publication.
10.Approve the regulations governing the provision of consultation and academic services to the public and private sectors and civil society organizations.
11.Approve the university’s annual budget.
12.Approve the university’s incorporation of companies or participation therein, or the joining of existing companies as partner or shareholder, in accordance with legal procedures.
13.Appoint one or more external auditors for university accounts.
14.Approve the university’s final accounts and submit the same to the Council of University Affairs.
15.Approve titles of academic degrees.
16.Award honorary doctorate degrees.
17.Form the university’s international advisory board, determine its powers, and set its work procedures.
18.Review the university’s annual report and submit it to the Council of University Affairs.
19.Review matters referred to it by its chairman or proposed by any of its members.
The board may delegate certain powers to its chairman or any other councils in the university, and it may form standing or ad hoc committees from among its members or others to review matters it refers thereto.
Article 14
The university board of trustees shall meet at least once every three months during the academic year, or upon a call by its chairman when necessary. Board meetings shall be valid if attended by at least two-thirds of its members, including its chairman or his deputy. Board decisions shall be passed by majority vote of attending members; in case of a tie, the meeting chairman shall have the casting vote. Board decisions shall become effective 15 days from the date of issuance.
Article 15
1.The board of trustees shall, in coordination with the university president, select a university employee to serve as the board’s secretary.
2.If the position of the chairman of the board of trustees, his deputy, or any board member becomes vacant, a replacement shall be appointed for the remainder of the term, in accordance with applicable procedures.
Chapter 4: University Council
Article 16
Each university shall have a council named "University Council" to be chaired by the university president and composed of the following members:
1.University vice-presidents.
2.Deans of university colleges, deanships, and institutes.
3.A maximum of four members with expertise or interest in university education, to be appointed pursuant to a decision by the board of trustees, upon nomination by the university president for a term of two years, renewable once.
Article 17
A university council shall manage the university’s academic, administrative, and financial affairs, and implement its general policy in accordance with the Law as well as the rules and regulations issued by the Council of University Affairs and the board of trustees. It shall, in particular, undertake the following:
1.Propose the university’s vision, mission, and objectives, and set its academic, financial, and administrative policies.
2.Propose the university’s organizational structure.
3.Propose the implementation procedures for the university’s financial and administrative regulations.
4.Approve the implementation procedures for the university’s academic regulations.
5.Set the power delegation rules for the various councils at the university.
6.Appoint faculty members.
7.Approve the secondment and assignment of faculty members to the public sector, private sector, or civil society organizations, as well as the contracting therewith.
8.Propose the establishment, merger, cancellation, or amendment of names of colleges, deanships, institutes, centers, and academic departments.
9.Propose titles of academic degrees.
10.Approve academic programs and plans for the academic degrees granted by the university.
11.Approve the regulations for issuing academic periodicals.
12.Approve the training and scholarship plan.
13.Set the particulars of the academic calendar according to the beginning and the end of the academic year.
14.Approve the admission policy and determine the number of students to be admitted in each academic year.
15.Determine the fees for academic programs, diplomas, and courses, including related and supporting services.
16.Approve the student activity plans.
17.Approve the university’s social responsibility plan.
18.Award academic degrees to graduates.
19.Propose the recipients of honorary doctorate degrees.
20.Approve academic and technical cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding between the university and local institutions.
21.Propose academic and technical cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding between the university and foreign institutions.
22.Propose the formation of the university’s international advisory board and determine its powers.
23.Approve the formation, powers, and work procedures of the university’s advisory board of faculty members.
24.Approve the formation, powers, and work procedures of the university’s advisory board of students.
25.Propose the university’s annual budget.
26.Propose the regulations governing investment, self-generated revenues, and waqf management at the university, in accordance with the regulations issued by the Council of University Affairs.
27.Propose the university’s incorporation of companies or participation therein, or the joining of existing companies as partner or shareholder, in accordance with legal procedures.
28.Accept donations, gifts, and bequests, and disburse therefrom according to the regulations approved by the Council of University Affairs.
29.Allocate part of the university’s lands to university awqaf, upon coordination with the General Authority of State Real Property, in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.
30.Establish academic chairs and set their regulations.
31.Appoint one or more comptrollers for university accounts.
32.Review the university’s final accounts and submit the same to the board of trustees.
33.Review the university’s annual report prior to submission to the board of trustees.
34.Review matters referred to it by its chairman or proposed by any of its members.
The university council may delegate certain powers to its chairman or other councils at the university, provided that the council is notified of the decisions taken. The council may form standing or ad hoc committees from among its members or others to review matters it refers thereto.
Article 18
A university council shall convene upon a call by its chairman at least once every month during the academic year. The chairman may call for a meeting when necessary or upon a written request by at least one third of its members. Council meetings shall only be valid if attended by at least two-thirds of its members, provided that the chairman or his designee is among them. Council decisions shall be passed by majority vote of attending members; in case of a tie, the meeting chairman shall have the casting vote. Council decisions shall become effective as of the date of approval by the chairman.
Article 19
A university council shall have a general secretary from among faculty members, to be appointed pursuant to a decision by the council, upon the nomination of the chairman, for a term of two years, renewable once.
Chapter 5: The Academic Council
Article 20
An academic council chaired by the university vice-president for academic research shall be established in each university and shall comprise a representative of a rank not lower than associate professor from each college or institute. Members shall be appointed pursuant to a decision by the university council, upon the nomination of the college or institute council and the endorsement of the university president. All members shall be appointed for a term of two years, renewable once. The university council may grant exceptions to the above.
Other members from among full or associate professors may be appointed pursuant to a decision by the university council, provided that their number does not exceed half of the total number of members. Said members shall be appointed for a renewable term of two years. The university council may grant exceptions to the above.
The academic council shall have a secretary from among faculty members, to be appointed pursuant to a decision by the university president, upon the nomination of the chairman of the academic council, for a renewable term of two years.
Article 21
Without prejudice to the provisions of this Law and its regulations and rules, the academic council shall oversee the academic affairs of faculty members as well as those related to academic research, studies, and publication, and shall, in particular, have the following powers:
1.Approve the academic promotion of faculty members.
2.Recommend the appointment of faculty members.
3.Approve faculty members’ sabbatical leaves and academic assignments and their external scientific and academic participation.
4.Recommend the approval of the secondment and assignment of faculty members to the public sector, private sector, or civil society organizations, as well as the contracting therewith.
5.Approve the issuance of academic journals and periodicals.
6.Recommend the establishment of academic societies.
7.Propose the regulations governing scholarships and training.
The academic council may delegate certain powers to its chairman, in accordance with the power delegation rules approved by the board of trustees.
The academic council may also form committees from among its members or others to review matters it refers thereto.
Article 22
The academic council shall convene upon a call by its chairman or his designee from among council members at least once every month during the academic year. The chairman may call for a meeting when necessary, or upon a written request by at least one third of council members, or at the request of the university president who may add items to the meeting agenda and chair any meeting he attends. Council meetings shall only be valid if attended by two-thirds of its members, provided that the chairman or his designee is among them.
Article 23
Decisions of the academic council shall be passed by majority vote of attending members; in case of a tie, the chairman shall have the casting vote. Council decisions shall be effective unless contested by the university president within 20 days from the date of receipt. If contested, they shall be returned with the president’s comments to the academic council for reconsideration. If the council maintains its position, the decisions shall be referred to the university council to be reviewed at the first ordinary or extraordinary session. Such decisions may be approved, amended, or cancelled by the university council and its decision shall be final.
Chapter 6: College or Institute Councils
Article 24
The college or institute council shall be chaired by the dean, and shall comprise the following members:
The university president may, based on the nomination of the college or institute council, add to the membership of the council a maximum of three members from among the college or institute’s faculty members, and a maximum of two members from among people with expertise and interest in the college or institute’s fields of study for a term of two years, renewable once.
The college or institute council may invite students to attend its meetings to discuss student-related matters.
Article 25
Subject to the provisions of the Law and the regulations and rules issued by the Council of University Affairs, the board of trustees, and the university council, the college or institute council shall be responsible for the college or institute’s academic, administrative, and financial affairs. The council may delegate certain powers to the chairman, and may form committees from among members or non-members to review matters it refers thereto.
Article 26
1.The college or institute council shall convene upon a call by its chairman at least once every month during the academic year. Council meetings shall only be valid if attended by at least two-thirds of its members, including the chairman or his designee from among vice-deans. Council decisions shall be passed by majority vote of attending members; in case of a tie, the meeting chairman shall have the casting vote.
2.Council decisions shall be effective unless contested by the university president within 20 days from the date of receipt. If contested, they shall be returned with the president’s comments to the college or institute council for reconsideration. If the council maintains its position, the decisions shall be referred to the university council to be reviewed at the first ordinary or extraordinary session. Such decisions may be approved, amended, or cancelled by the university council and its decision shall be final.
Chapter 7: Department Councils
Article 27
Each academic department in a college or institute shall have a council with the head of the department as chairman and its faculty members as members. Faculty members from other departments may, when necessary, be appointed to the council pursuant to a decision by the university president.
The dean shall chair the department council in the absence of the head of the department or upon the vacancy of the position.
Article 28
Subject to the provisions of the Law and the regulations and rules issued by the Council of University Affairs, the board of trustees, and the university council, the department council shall be responsible for the department’s academic, financial, and administrative affairs, including determining curricula criteria, ensuring compliance therewith, and reviewing such criteria periodically. The council may delegate certain powers to its chairman, in accordance with the power delegation rules approved by the board of trustees.
The department council may form committees from among members or non-members.
Article 29
1.The department council shall convene upon a call by its chairman at least once every month during the academic year. Council meetings shall only be valid if attended by at least two-thirds of its members, including the chairman or his designee from among members. Council decisions shall be passed by majority vote of attending members; in case of a tie, the meeting chairman shall have the casting vote.
2.Department council decisions shall be effective unless contested by the college or institute dean within seven days from the date of receipt. If contested, they shall be returned to the department council together with dean’s comments for reconsideration. If the council maintains its position, such decisions shall be referred to the college or institute council to decide thereon.
Chapter 8: University President and Vice-Presidents
Article 30
The university president shall be appointed pursuant to an order by the President of the Council of Ministers, upon the recommendation of the Chairman of the Council of University Affairs based on the nomination of the board of trustees. The employment contract shall be for a renewable term of three years and shall be subject to the Labor Law.
Article 31
Subject to the powers of the board of trustees and the university council, the university president shall report to the Chairman of the Council of University Affairs in accordance with the Law, and shall be responsible for managing university affairs; he may, in particular, undertake the following:
1.Manage university affairs, including academic, administrative, and financial affairs.
2.Oversee the implementation of the Law and its regulations, university bylaws, decisions of the board of trustees and decisions of councils within the university.
3.Submit the university’s annual performance report to the board of trustees after discussing it at the university council. Such report shall include performance indicators, academic research results, community service activities, and any other activities, and shall indicate opportunities and challenges, if any, and recommendations to overcome such challenges, and any other recommendations for improvement and manner of implementation thereof.
4.Nominate university vice-presidents.
5.Represent the university before the judiciary and other agencies, and may assign others to do so.
6.Appoint deans, vice-deans, heads of departments, and directors of scientific and research centers.
The university president may delegate certain powers to any vice-president or to any person he deems fit, each within his area of specialty, provided that such delegation is made in writing and for a defined period; he may also form committees, when necessary.
Article 32
If the university president holds a public position, or if he is a faculty member, he may retain his position for the duration of his term as university president; such period shall be counted towards his employment for the purpose of periodic increment, promotion, and retirement.
Article 33
A university president shall have one or more vice-presidents from among faculty members to be appointed pursuant to a decision by the board of trustees upon the nomination of the university president, for a term of three years, renewable once. The Council of University Affairs may grant exceptions.
Article 34
The vice-presidents shall assist the university president in managing university affairs and the regulations shall determine their powers. In case of multiple vice-presidents, the university president may delegate one of them to assume his powers in his absence. If the position of the university president becomes vacant, the Chairman of the Council of University Affairs may appoint an acting president from among the vice-presidents or others.
Chapter 9: Deans and Vice-Deans
Article 35
A dean of a college, deanship, or institute shall be appointed pursuant to a decision by the university president, for a renewable term of two years, subject to rules approved by the university’s board of trustees.
Article 36
Subject to the provisions of the Law and the regulations and rules issued by the Council of University Affairs, the board of trustees, and the university council, the dean shall be in charge of the academic, educational, administrative, and financial affairs of the college or institute. He shall, at the end of each academic year, submit a progress report to the university president.
Article 37
Each college, deanship, or institute shall have one or more vice-deans from among faculty members, nominated by the dean and appointed pursuant to a decision by the university president for a renewable period of two years. The vice-deans shall assist the dean in the discharge of his duties; the most senior of them shall assume the position of the dean in his absence or upon the vacancy of his position; and one of them shall serve as the secretary of the college or institute council.
Chapter 10: Heads of Departments
Article 38
Heads of departments at each college shall be appointed pursuant to a decision by the university president upon the recommendation of college deans for a renewable term of two years.
Article 39
A head of department shall be in charge of managing the department’s academic, educational, research, administrative, and financial affairs in accordance with the Law and its regulations and the decisions of the university and college councils. The head of department shall, at the end of each academic year, submit to the college dean a report on the department’s work progress.
Chapter 11: Academic Accreditation
Article 40
The university shall seek to obtain institutional accreditation from the Education and Training Evaluation Commission.
Article 41
The university shall seek to obtain program accreditation from the Education and Training Evaluation Commission, or from any international agency approved by the Commission.
Chapter 12: Advisory Boards
Article 42
An international advisory board may be formed at the university pursuant to a decision by the board of trustees. The board of trustees shall determine the powers and work procedures of the international advisory board.
Article 43
A student advisory board shall be formed at the university pursuant to a decision by the university council, to be chaired by one of the university vice-presidents. The university council shall determine the powers and work procedures of the student advisory board.
Article 44
A faculty advisory board shall be formed at the university pursuant to a decision by the university council, to be chaired by the university president or his designee. The university council shall determine the powers and work procedures of the faculty advisory board.
Chapter 13: University Financial Regulations
Article 45
Each university shall have an independent annual budget approved pursuant to a decision by the board of trustees, in accordance with the General Rules approved by the Council of University Affairs, in coordination with relevant agencies.
Article 46
The General Auditing Bureau shall audit the university’s final accounts, in accordance with the auditing rules of public companies and institutions.
Article 47
Without prejudice to the powers of the auditing authority, the board of trustees shall, upon the nomination of the university president, appoint one or more licensed external auditors for the university accounts. Such auditors shall have the rights and duties of external auditors in joint-stock companies.
Article 48
A university may, under the supervision of the waqf management board, establish its own awqaf. Such awqaf shall have an independent legal personality and shall be managed in accordance with the rules approved by the Council of University Affairs in a manner not contradicting the endowers’ terms. The university and university awqaf may establish or participate in the establishment of companies, or become a partner or shareholder therein, in accordance with legal procedures.
Article 49
University revenues shall consist of the following:
1.Subsidies allocated by the State, pursuant to the rules governing the university funding program.
2.Fees for academic programs, diplomas, and courses, as well as services rendered by the university.
3.Donations, gifts, grants, bequests, and awqaf.
4.Proceeds generated from university’s properties, investments, and awqaf.
5.Other financial resources approved by the board of trustees, provided that they are consistent with the university’s objectives.
The university and university awqaf shall open separate accounts with the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority, and they may open other accounts with any licensed bank in the Kingdom for the deposit of revenues. Disbursements therefrom shall be made pursuant to the rules approved by the Council of University Affairs.
Article 50
A university may apply fees to increase its revenues, including the following:
1.Fees for graduate programs, without compromising quality.
2.Fees for diploma programs, and educational and training courses, in accordance with the General Rules set by the Council of University Affairs.
3.Fees from non-Saudi students, excluding students on scholarships granted in accordance with the relevant rules.
4.Fees from internal or external entities in return for scientific research or consultation services, provided that such services are consistent with university’s mission and objectives.
5.Funds generated from the investment and development of cash and in-kind revenues, in accordance with the regulations governing investment, self-generated revenues, and waqf management at the university.
6.Fees from government and non-government agencies in return for contracting with faculty members to perform tasks specified in the employment contract, subject to the approval of the faculty member and relevant councils. The faculty member shall continue to perform the minimum academic requirements, including teaching, academic supervision, and attendance of meetings of academic councils.
7.Fees from government and non-government agencies for carrying out studies, consultation services, or other services pursuant to contracts approved by both parties, based on the need for experts from among Saudi faculty members. Such revenues shall be deposited in a separate account and shall be disbursed in accordance with the regulations approved by the board of trustees.
Chapter 14: General and Final Provisions
Article 51
Establishment of university branches outside the Kingdom shall be pursuant to a decision by the Council of Ministers, based on the recommendation of the board of trustees and the endorsement of the Council of University Affairs.
Article 52
Employment of all university employees, including faculty members, administrative personnel, and technicians, shall be in accordance with the Labor Law.
Article 53
The chairman of any of the councils provided for in this Law, or any council member subject to the chairman’s approval, may invite any person to attend council meetings in a non-voting capacity.
Article 54
Arabic shall be the language of instruction at the university. Other languages may be used, subject to the approval of the University Council.
Article 55
No member of any of the councils provided for in this Law may attend the council deliberations on any issue relating to him or his relatives up to the second degree.
Article 56
This Law shall be implemented by all the councils provided for herein, and the Council of University Affairs shall ensure proper implementation thereof.
Article 57
This Law shall supersede the Law of the Council of Higher Education and Universities, promulgated by Royal Decree No. (M/8), dated 4/6/1414H and shall repeal all the provisions inconsistent therewith.
Article 58
This Law shall enter into force 180 days following the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.