Article 28 of the Saudi Law of Universities
المادة 28 من نظام الجامعات · الفصل السابع: مجالس الأقسام
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 والإدارية التي تتعلق بالقسم، بما في ذلك تحديد المعايير الأساسية التي يجب أن تتضمنها المناهج العلمية التي تدرس في القسم، والتأكد من تنفيذها ومراجعتها دورياً، وله تفويض بعض اختصاصاته لرئيسه، وفق قواعد تفويض الصلاحيات التي يقرها مجلس الأمناء.
ولمجلس القسم تشكيل لجان من أعضائه، أو من غيرهم.
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 28 explained in plain English
This article sets out the competence of the academic department council and its limits:
First: scope of competence
The department council considers the scientific, financial and administrative matters relating to the department, including expressly:
- Determining the basic standards that must be included in the scientific curricula taught in the department.
- Making sure they are implemented.
- Reviewing them periodically.
This makes the academic department the body with the main role in controlling the quality of curricula in its specialization.
Second: the framework within which it works
This is subject to the provisions of the Law and the regulations and rules issued by the Council of University Affairs, the board of trustees and the university council.
Third: delegation and committees
- The council may delegate some of its competences to its chair, but under the rules on delegation of powers approved by the board of trustees; delegation is therefore bound by these rules.
- It may form committees from its members or others.
Under Article 27, the council consists of the head of the department as chair and its faculty members, with the possibility of adding members from other departments by decision of the university president. Its meetings are regulated by Article 29: it meets at least once a month during the academic year with a quorum of two thirds of the members, and its decisions are issued by a majority of those present.
A person with a matter concerning a decision of a department council may consult a lawyer specialized in administrative cases.
Practical example
Faculty members in the accounting department at a university noticed that some courses no longer keep pace with professional developments. Under this article, the department council is competent to determine the basic standards for curricula, make sure they are implemented and review them periodically, so it can study the amendment within the framework of the university's regulations.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentAdministrative Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Administrative Law (Board of Grievances) lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Al-Safwa Law Office and Legal Consultancy
Frequently asked questions about Article 28 of the Saudi Law of Universities
Who sets the curriculum standards in a university department?
The department council is competent to determine the basic standards that must be included in the scientific curricula taught in it, make sure they are implemented and review them periodically.
May the department council delegate its powers?
It may delegate some of its competences to its chair under the rules on delegation of powers approved by the board of trustees.
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 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 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.