Article 20 of the Saudi Law of Universities
المادة 20 من نظام الجامعات · الفصل الخامس: المجلس العلمي
The article establishes in each university a scientific council chaired by the vice president for scientific research, with a representative of each college at associate professor rank at least, permits additional members, and regulates its secretary.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
ينشأ في كل جامعة مجلس علمي برئاسة نائب رئيس الجامعة المختص بالبحث العلمي وعضوية ممثل من كل كلية أو معهد بدرجة أستاذ مشارك على الأقل، ويصدر بتعيينهم قرار من مجلس الجامعة -بناءً على ترشيح من مجلس الكلية أو المعهد وتأييد رئيس الجامعة- ويعين جميع الأعضاء لمدة سنتين قابلة للتجديد مرة واحدة، ولمجلس الجامعة الاستثناء من ذلك.
ويجوز بقرار من مجلس الجامعة تعيين أعضاء آخرين من الأساتذة أو الأساتذة المشاركين على ألا يتجاوز عددهم نصف مجموع الأعضاء ويكون تعيينهم لمدة سنتين قابلة للتجديد، ولمجلس الجامعة الاستثناء من ذلك.
ويكون للمجلس العلمي أمين من أعضاء هيئة التدريس بالجامعة، ويصدر بتعيينه قرار من رئيس الجامعة -بترشيح من رئيس المجلس العلمي- لمدة سنتين قابلة للتجديد.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 20 explained in plain English
This article establishes the scientific council, which under Article 1 is the authority competent for scientific and research affairs, studies and publication in the university.
First: chair and core membership
- It is chaired by the vice president of the university for scientific research.
- It includes a representative from each college or institute, at the rank of associate professor at least.
- They are appointed by decision of the university council, on the nomination of the college or institute council and with the endorsement of the university president.
- The term of membership is two years, renewable once, and the university council may make an exception to this.
Second: additional members
- Other members may be appointed by decision of the university council from among professors or associate professors.
- Provided that their number does not exceed half of the total number of members.
- For two years, renewable, and the university council may make an exception to this.
Note that the text does not limit renewal of the additional members to once, unlike the core members.
Third: the secretary
The scientific council has a secretary from among the faculty members, appointed by decision of the university president on the nomination of the chair of the scientific council, for two years, renewable.
Article 21 then sets out the council's competences, including approving the academic promotion of faculty members and recommending their appointment. The article is also linked to Article 19, which regulates the secretary general of the university council.
A person with a matter concerning the formation of the scientific council in his university may consult a lawyer specialized in administrative cases.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 20 of the Saudi Law of Universities
Who chairs the scientific council at a university?
The vice president of the university for scientific research.
What rank is required for membership of the scientific council?
Each college or institute is represented by a member at the rank of associate professor at least, and other members may be appointed from among professors or associate professors.
How long is membership of the scientific council?
Two years, renewable once for the members representing colleges, and the university council may make an exception to this.
More articles on Scientific Council and Promotions
- Article 21
The article gives the scientific council oversight of faculty members' scientific affairs, research and publication, including approving academic promotion, recommending appointment, and approving sabbaticals and the issuing of journals.
مع عدم الإخلال بأحكام النظام ولوائحه وقواعده يتولى المجلس العلمي الإشراف على الشؤون العلمية لأعضاء هيئة التدريس وشؤون البحوث والدراسات والنشر، وله على الخصوص ما
- Article 22
The article regulates scientific council meetings at least once a month during the academic year, who may call them, the university president's right to request one, add items and chair if present, and the two-thirds quorum.
يجتمع المجلس العلمي مرة كل شهر في العام الدراسي على الأقل بناءً على دعوة من رئيسه أو من ينيبه من أعضاء المجلس، وللرئيس أن يدعو المجلس إلى الاجتماع إذا دعت الحاج
- Article 23
The article makes scientific council decisions by majority of those present effective unless the university president objects within twenty days; if he objects and the council insists, they go to the university council, whose decision is final.
تصدر قرارات المجلس العلمي بأغلبية أصوات الأعضاء الحاضرين على الأقل، وإذا تساوت الأصوات يرجح الجانب الذي صوت معه رئيس الاجتماع، وتعد قراراته نافذة ما لم يرد عليه
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.