A brief about the University Affairs Council
The General Secretariat of the University Affairs Council provides full support to the Council in carrying out its work and responsibilities by submitting the necessary studies that contribute to informed and effective decision-making. The General Secretariat also works to provide the necessary data and information that facilitate the decision-making process and ensure continuous follow-up and implementation. This is achieved in a stimulating and attractive environment that contributes to achieving the Council's efficiency and effectiveness, achieving the strategic objectives of universities and enhancing their role in the academic community.
1447-01-18 H : 1447-02-02 H
With the help of God Almighty
We, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Based on Article (Seventy) of the Basic Law of Governance, issued by Royal Order No. (A/90) dated 27/8/1412 AH, and based on Article (Twenty) of the Council of Ministers’ System, issued by Royal Order No. (A/13) dated 3/3/1414 AH, and based on Articles (Seventeen) and (Eighteen) of the Shura Council System, issued by Royal Order No. (A/91) dated 27/8/1412 AH, and after reviewing Shura Council Resolutions No. (239/61) dated 2/28/1440 AH, and No. (224/56) dated 1/19/1441 AH, and after reviewing Cabinet Resolution No. (183) dated 1/3/1441 AH, we have decreed the following:
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First: Approval of the university system, in the attached form.
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Second: The University Affairs Council shall exercise its duties and powers stipulated in the system from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
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Third: The University Affairs Council shall designate (three) universities – as a first stage – at most, to which the system will be applied after its entry into force. It shall then be gradually applied to other universities by order of the Prime Minister based on a proposal from the University Affairs Council. The Council shall submit a report to the Supreme Authority every (two) years on the results of implementing the system, including any positives, difficulties, or other issues, if any. The current systems and regulations – including the Higher Education and Universities Council System issued by Royal Decree No. (M/8) dated 04/06/1414 AH – shall continue to be applied to universities not included in the system until they are included in it.
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Fourth: The Council of University Affairs shall exercise the powers of the Higher Education Council (abolished) contained in the Higher Education and Universities Council System issued by Royal Decree No. (M/8) dated 6/4/1414 AH, over the universities that will continue to implement that system.
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Fifth: The universities - to which the system will be applied initially in accordance with what is stated in Clause (Third) of this Decree - shall be granted a transitional period (one year) from the date of the system’s entry into force, during which the current university regulations shall continue to be in effect until the University Affairs Council issues the financial, administrative and academic regulations for the universities, to be in accordance with the provisions of the system, and without prejudice to the authority of the Boards of Trustees to supervise the universities. The University Affairs Council may increase the transitional period for those universities or some of them, provided that the extension does not exceed (three) years from the date of the end of the transitional period specified as (one year).
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Sixth: The employees of the universities - to which the system will be applied in accordance with what is stated in Clause (Third) of this Decree - including faculty members and those in their position, administrators, and technicians, who are on the job at the time the system comes into effect, shall continue to follow the job systems to which they are subject, and the University Affairs Council shall propose the necessary options and arrangements for their treatment, including transferring them to the work system, in a manner that does not affect their acquired financial rights, and shall submit this to complete what is necessary in this regard.
Vision
A globally distinguished supervisory and legislative system that enables Saudi universities to achieve their educational, research, and community goals and contribute to achieving the objectives of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030.
Message
Regulating university affairs and working to enhance their academic, research, and societal standing, through the Council's role in formulating and directing university education policies, providing supportive organizational and legislative structures, governing and evaluating universities' academic, administrative, and financial performance, and coordinating and supporting cooperative relations between them and scientific and research institutions at the local, regional, and international levels.
Council objectives
Providing a legislative system that supports the independence of universities.
Strengthening the governance and evaluation of university performance academically, administratively, and financially.
Strengthening the role of universities in diversifying and maximizing their own resources and managing them in light of regulatory controls.
Supporting universities towards achieving local and international institutional and programmatic accreditation.
Supporting universities in achieving the standards of international university rankings, which will reflect positively on their performance.
Supporting universities in creating an information infrastructure that supports their move towards a knowledge society.
Supporting universities in creating an information infrastructure that supports their move towards a knowledge society.
Providing a legislative system that supports private colleges and branches of foreign universities.
Speech by His Excellency the Minister, Chairman of the Council of University Affairs
In line with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which aims to create a vibrant, deeply rooted society based on moderate Islam, a sense of belonging to one's homeland, and pride in its history, present, and future, offering everyone diverse lifestyle choices. This vision aims to build a prosperous economy based on a diversified economic base to launch businesses and provide job opportunities for all Saudis. This vision also aims to build an ambitious nation through a high-performance government characterized by effectiveness, transparency, and accountability, as well as a focus on digital transformation and a move toward a digital economy based on knowledge, creativity, and innovation.
To achieve these goals, we at the Council of University Affairs seek to advance the university education system and enhance its scientific, research, and societal standing at the local, regional, and international levels. This is in line with the growing concept of the Saudi knowledge economy and knowledge society, and the increasing requirements and needs of development. This is achieved through enhancing academic, administrative, and financial performance, establishing legislative and regulatory structures that support universities and enable them to perform their functions efficiently and effectively within an efficient institutional framework, responding to development challenges and labor market needs, and preparing national competencies in all fields...
Professor/ Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Bunyan
Chairman of the Council of University Affairs - Minister of Education
Meet the Council Members
View all
His tenure 1444 : until now
His Excellency Professor Dr. Bassam bin Abdullah Al-Bassam
His Excellency Eng. Bassam bin Abdullah Al-Bassam is the Deputy Minister for Communications and...
Member of the Council
His Excellency Mr. Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Bunyan
The Minister of Education and Chairman of the Council of University Affairs in Saudi Arabia, he is a...
Member of the Council
His Excellency Dr. Abdul Rahman bin Abdullah Al-Barrak
He holds a PhD in Public Administration from the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. He has...