Article 27 of the Saudi Law of Universities
المادة 27 من نظام الجامعات · الفصل السابع: مجالس الأقسام
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 عضوية المجلس بعض أعضاء هيئة التدريس من أقسام أخرى.
ويتولى العميد رئاسة المجلس في حالة غياب رئيس القسم أو خلو منصبه.
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 27 explained in plain English
This article establishes the academic department council, which under Article 1 is the authority competent for academic affairs in the academic department, an academic department being an academic unit representing a general scientific specialization.
First: composition
- Each academic department of the college or institute has a council.
- It is chaired by the head of the department.
- It includes the faculty members of the department.
Under the definitions, faculty members are professors, associate professors and assistant professors, and lecturers and teaching assistants are treated as such.
Second: addition from other departments
By decision of the university president, and when needed, some faculty members from other departments may be added to the council's membership. This is useful for subjects shared between specializations.
Third: chairing in absence or vacancy
The dean chairs the council in two cases:
- The absence of the head of department.
- A vacancy in the post of head of department.
Note that in this case, under the article, the chair passes to the dean and not to one of the members of the department.
Article 28 then sets out the department council's competence to consider the scientific, financial and administrative matters relating to the department, including determining the basic standards for the scientific curricula taught in it and making sure they are implemented and reviewed periodically. The article is also linked to Article 26, which regulates the meetings of the college council and the effect of its decisions.
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 27 of the Saudi Law of Universities
Who are the members of the academic department council?
The head of the department as chair, and the faculty members of the department; the university president may by decision add members from other departments when needed.
Who chairs the department council if its head is absent?
The dean chairs the council in the case of the absence of the head of department or a vacancy in his post.
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 26
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.
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 ينيب
- 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.