Article 21 of the Saudi Law of Universities

This article sets out the competences of the scientific council, without prejudice to the provisions of the Law, its regulations and rules. It supervises:

• The scientific affairs of faculty members.
• Matters of research, studies and publication.

In particular, it has the following powers:

1. Approving the academic promotion of faculty members.
2. Recommending the appointment of faculty members.
3. Approving sabbatical leave and scientific contact for faculty members, and their external scientific and academic participation.
4. Recommending approval of making use of their services by secondment, assignment or contracting with the public and private sectors and civil society institutions.
5. Approving the issuing of scientific journals and periodicals.
6. Recommending the establishment of scientific societies.
7. Proposing the rules governing scholarships and training.

The text distinguishes between what the council approves or consents to (promotion, sabbatical and scientific contact, issuing journals) and what it recommends or proposes (appointment, secondment and assignment, scientific societies, scholarship rules). For example, under the text, academic promotion is approved by the scientific council, while appointment is only recommended by it.

The council may delegate some of its competences to its chair under the rules on delegation of powers approved by the board of trustees, and form committees from its members or others.

Under Article 20 the council is chaired by the vice president of the university for scientific research, and Article 22 regulates its meetings at least once a month during the academic year with a quorum of two thirds of the members.

A person with an interest in his promotion or sabbatical may consult a lawyer specialized in administrative cases.