Article 29 of the Saudi Law of Universities
المادة 29 من نظام الجامعات · الفصل السابع: مجالس الأقسام
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 الأعضاء، وتصدر قراراته بأغلبية أصوات الأعضاء الحاضرين على الأقل، وعند التساوي يرجح الجانب الذي صوت معه رئيس الاجتماع.
2- تعد قرارات مجلس القسم نافذة ما لم يرد عليها اعتراض من عميد الكلية أو المعهد خلال سبعة أيام عمل من تاريخ وصولها إليه، فإن اعترض عليها أعادها إلى مجلس القسم -مشفوعة بوجهة نظره- لدراستها من جديد، فإن بقي المجلس على رأيه، فتحال القرارات المعترض عليها إلى مجلس الكلية أو المعهد، وله صلاحيات البت فيها.
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 29 explained in plain English
This article regulates department council meetings 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 member 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.
Paragraph 2: effect and objection
- Decisions are considered effective unless the dean of the college or institute objects to them within seven working days of the date they reach him.
- If he objects, he returns them to the department council together with his point of view for it to study afresh.
- If the council maintains its opinion, they are referred to the college or institute council, which has the authority to decide on them.
Note that the period here is seven working days, that is, calculated in working days and not calendar days, that the objecting party is the dean and not the university president, and that the body that decides the disagreement is the college or institute council. The article does not describe the college council's decision on this matter as final.
This article is linked to Article 28, which gives the department council jurisdiction over the scientific, financial and administrative matters of the department, including setting curriculum standards and reviewing them periodically. Article 30 moves on to the university president, who is assigned by order of the Prime Minister, and is contracted under the Labor Law for three years, renewable.
A person affected by a decision of a department council may consult a lawyer specialized in administrative cases.
Practical example
The biology department council at a university in Abha approved the distribution of courses among its members for the coming semester, and the decision reached the dean. If the dean does not object within seven working days of its arrival, it becomes effective. If he objects and the department council insists on its opinion, the matter is referred to the college council to decide.
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 29 of the Saudi Law of Universities
When do department council decisions take effect?
They are considered effective unless the dean of the college or institute objects to them within seven working days of the date they reach him.
Who decides if the dean objects to a department council decision?
The dean returns it to the department council; if it maintains its opinion, it is referred to the college or institute council, which has the authority to decide on it.
How often does the department council meet?
At least once a month during the academic year, on the invitation of its chair.
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 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
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.