Article 26 of the Saudi Law of Universities
المادة 26 من نظام الجامعات · الفصل السادس: مجالس الكليات أو المعاهد
The article regulates monthly college or institute council meetings with a two-thirds quorum, and makes its decisions effective unless the university president objects within twenty days, with objected decisions referred to the university council for a final decision.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يجتمع مجلس الكلية أو المعهد بدعوة من رئيسه مرة كل شهر على الأقل في العام الدراسي، ولا يصح الاجتماع إلا بحضور ثلثي أعضائه على الأقل بمن فيهم الرئيس أو من ينيبه من الوكلاء، وتصدر قراراته بأغلبية أصوات الأعضاء الحاضرين على الأقل وعند التساوي يرجح الجانب الذي صوت معه رئيس الاجتماع.
2- تعد قرارات المجلس نافذة ما لم يرد عليها اعتراض من رئيس الجامعة خلال (عشرين) يوماً من تاريخ وصولها إليه، فإن اعترض عليها رئيس الجامعة أعادها إلى مجلس الكلية أو المعهد -مشفوعة بوجهة نظره- لدراستها من جديد، فإن بقي المجلس على رأيه فتحال القرارات المعترض عليها إلى مجلس الجامعة للبت فيها في أول جلسة عادية أو استثنائية ولمجلس الجامعة تصديق القرارات أو تعديلها أو إلغائها، ويكون قراره في ذلك نهائي.
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 26 explained in plain English
This article regulates meetings of the college or institute council and the effect of its decisions, in two paragraphs:
Paragraph 1: meetings and decisions
- It meets on the invitation of its chair at least once a month during the academic year.
- A meeting is valid only if at least two thirds of the members attend, including the chair or the vice dean he designates.
- Decisions are issued by at least a majority of the votes of the members present, and in case of a tie the side of the chair of the meeting prevails.
Note that the person the chair designates must be one of the vice deans.
Paragraph 2: effect and objection
- Decisions are considered effective unless the university president objects within twenty days of the date they reach him.
- If he objects, he returns them to the college council together with his point of view for it to study afresh.
- If the council maintains its opinion, they are referred to the university council to decide on them at its first ordinary or extraordinary session.
- The university council may confirm, amend or cancel them, and its decision is final.
This means that a decision of the college council does not become settled until twenty days have passed from its reaching the university president without objection.
This article is linked to Article 25, which gives the college council jurisdiction over the scientific, administrative and financial matters of the college or institute, subject to the regulations of the higher councils. Article 27 moves on to the council of the academic department, which is chaired by the head of the department and includes its faculty members.
A person affected by a decision of a college council may consult a lawyer specialized in administrative cases.
Practical example
The council of the college of science at a university in Qassim approved an amendment to the requirements of a program, and the decision reached the university president. If twenty days pass from its arrival without objection, it becomes effective. If the president objects and the college council insists on its opinion, the matter is referred to the university council, whose decision on it is final.
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 26 of the Saudi Law of Universities
How often does the college council meet?
At least once a month during the academic year, on the invitation of its chair.
When do the college council's decisions take effect?
They are considered effective unless the university president objects to them within twenty days of the date they reach him.
Who decides if the university president and the college council disagree?
The decision is referred to the university council, which may confirm, amend or cancel it, and its decision is final.
More articles on College and Department Councils
- Article 24
The article sets the composition of the college or institute council under the dean with vice deans and heads of departments, lets the university president add faculty members and experts, and lets the council invite students to discuss student matters.
يكون مجلس الكلية أو المعهد برئاسة العميد وتكون العضوية فيه على النحو الآتي: 1- الوكلاء ويكون أحدهم أميناً للمجلس 2- رؤساء الأقسام العلمية. ولرئيس الجامعة أن يضي
- Article 25
The article gives the college or institute council jurisdiction over its scientific, administrative and financial matters, subject to the Law and the regulations of the higher councils, and lets it delegate some competences to its chair and form committees.
مع مراعاة ما تقضي به أحكام النظام وما يصدره مجلس شؤون الجامعات ومجلس الأمناء ومجلس الجامعة من لوائح وقواعد؛ يختص مجلس الكلية أو المعهد بالنظر في الأمور العلمية،
- Article 27
The article provides that each academic department has a council chaired by the head of department with its faculty members as members, and chaired by the dean when the head is absent or the post is vacant.
يكون لكل قسم علمي من أقسام الكلية أو المعهد مجلس يتألف من رئيس القسم رئيساً، وعضوية أعضاء هيئة التدريس فيه. ويجوز بقرار من رئيس الجامعة -عند الحاجة- أن يضاف إلى
- Article 28
The article gives the department council jurisdiction over the department's scientific, financial and administrative matters, including setting basic curriculum standards and reviewing them periodically, and lets it delegate some competences to its chair and form committees.
مع مراعاة ما تقضي به أحكام النظام وما يصدره مجلس شؤون الجامعات ومجلس الأمناء ومجلس الجامعة من لوائح وقواعد؛ يختص مجلس القسم بالنظر في الأمور العلمية والمالية وا
- Article 29
The article regulates monthly department council meetings with a two-thirds quorum, and makes its decisions effective unless the dean objects within seven working days, with objected decisions referred to the college council to decide.
1- يجتمع مجلس القسم بدعوة من رئيسه مرة كل شهر في العام الدراسي على الأقل، ولا يصح الاجتماع إلا بحضور ثلثي أعضائه على الأقل بمن فيهم الرئيس أو من ينيبه من الأعضا
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.