Article 23 of the Saudi Law of Universities
المادة 23 من نظام الجامعات · الفصل الخامس: المجلس العلمي
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 عليها اعتراض من رئيس الجامعة خلال (عشرين) يوماً من تاريخ وصولها إليه، فإن اعترض عليها رئيس الجامعة، أعادها إلى المجلس العلمي -مشفوعة بوجهة نظره- لدراستها من جديد، فإن بقي المجلس على رأيه، فتحال القرارات المعترض عليها إلى مجلس الجامعة، وتنظر في أول جلسة عادية أو استثنائية، ولمجلس الجامعة تصديق القرارات أو تعديلها أو إلغاؤها، ويكون قراره في ذلك نهائيًّا.
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 23 explained in plain English
This article regulates how decisions of the scientific council are issued and how they become effective, and sets out a clear mechanism for objecting to them:
First: voting
- Decisions are issued by at least a majority of the votes of the members present.
- In case of a tie, the side with which the chair of the meeting voted prevails.
Second: effect
Decisions are considered effective unless the university president objects to them within twenty days of the date they reach him.
Third: the path of objection
- If the university president objects, he returns the decision to the scientific council together with his point of view, for it to be studied afresh.
- If the council maintains its opinion, the decision objected to is referred to the university council.
- The university council considers it at its first ordinary or extraordinary session.
- The university council may confirm, amend or cancel the decision.
- Its decision in that matter is final.
In practice this means that a decision of the scientific council, such as the promotion of a faculty member, does not become settled until twenty days pass without objection. If an objection is made, the matter may end with a decision of the university council, which under the text is final.
Note that the period runs from the date the decision reaches the university president, not from the date it is issued.
This article is linked to Article 22, which regulates the scientific council's meetings at least once a month during the academic year with a quorum of two thirds of the members. Article 24 moves on to the college or institute council chaired by the dean.
A person affected by a decision of the scientific council or its cancellation may consult a lawyer specialized in administrative cases.
Practical example
The scientific council of a university in Jeddah approved the promotion of a faculty member, and the decision reached the university president. If the president does not object within twenty days of its arrival, it becomes effective. If he objects, he returns it to the scientific council; if the council insists on its opinion, it is referred to the university council, which may confirm, amend or cancel it by a final decision.
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 23 of the Saudi Law of Universities
When do scientific council decisions become effective?
They are considered effective unless the university president objects to them within twenty days of the date they reach him.
What happens if the university president objects to a scientific council decision?
He returns it to the scientific council with his point of view; if the council maintains its opinion, the decision is referred to the university council, which may confirm, amend or cancel it.
Is the university council's decision on the objection final?
Yes, the article provides that its decision in that matter is final.
More articles on Scientific Council and Promotions
- Article 20
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.
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
- 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
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.