Article 33 of the Saudi Law of Universities
المادة 33 من نظام الجامعات · الفصل الثامن: رئيس الجامعة ونوابه
The article provides that each university president has one or more deputies from among the faculty members, assigned by the board of trustees on the president's nomination for three years, renewable once, subject to an exception by the Council of University Affairs.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يكون لكل رئيس جامعة نائب أو أكثر من أعضاء هيئة التدريس، ويكون تكليفهم بقرار من مجلس الأمناء بناء على ترشيح رئيس الجامعة، ويكون التكليف لمدة ثلاث سنوات قابلة للتجديد مرة واحدة، ولمجلس شؤون الجامعات الاستثناء مما ذكر.
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 33 explained in plain English
This article regulates the vice presidents of the university, and contains the following elements:
First: number
Each university president has one or more deputies, so the number is not specified in the text.
Second: who holds the post
The deputies are from among the faculty members, who under Article 1 are professors, associate professors and assistant professors, and lecturers and teaching assistants are treated as such.
Third: method of assignment
- By decision of the board of trustees.
- On the nomination of the university president.
Fourth: term
Three years, renewable once.
Fifth: exception
The Council of University Affairs may make an exception to what is stated. The article does not specify the forms of this exception or its controls.
The article shows the distribution of roles: the university president nominates, the board of trustees decides, and the Council of University Affairs holds the exception.
This article is linked to Article 32, which provides for the right of a university president who holds a public post or is a faculty member to keep his post during his presidency and to have its term counted in his service. Article 34 then shows the role of the deputies: they assist the university president in managing its affairs, the regulations set their powers, the president may assign one of them to carry out his duties in his absence, and the chair of the Council of University Affairs may assign whomever he sees fit to manage the university when the post of its president is vacant.
A person with a matter concerning the assignment of a vice president of a university may consult a lawyer specialized in administrative cases.
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
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Frequently asked questions about Article 33 of the Saudi Law of Universities
Who appoints the vice presidents of a university?
They are assigned by decision of the board of trustees on the nomination of the university president.
How long is a vice president's term of assignment?
Three years, renewable once, and the Council of University Affairs may make an exception to this.
Must a vice president of a university be a faculty member?
Yes, the article provides that the deputies are from among the faculty members, and the Council of University Affairs may make an exception to what is stated.
More articles on University President and Vice Presidents
- Article 5
The article specifies the bodies that undertake the governance, management and conduct of the university's affairs: the Board of Trustees, the University Council and the university president.
يتولى حوكمة وإدارة وتصريف شؤون الجامعة: مجلس الأمناء مجلس الجامعة رئيس الجامعة
- Article 30
The article provides that the university president is assigned by order of the Prime Minister on the recommendation of the chair of the Council of University Affairs after nomination by the board of trustees, and is contracted under the Labor Law for three years, renewable.
يكلف رئيس الجامعة بأمر من رئيس مجلس الوزراء، بناء على توصية رئيس مجلس شؤون الجامعات بعد ترشيح مجلس الأمناء، ويكون التعاقد معه على نظام العمل لمدة ثلاث سنوات قاب
- Article 31
The article makes the university president accountable to the chair of the Council of University Affairs and responsible for managing the university, and lists his powers, including representing it before the courts, assigning deans and heads of departments, and the annual report.
مع مراعاة اختصاصات مجلس الأمناء ومجلس الجامعة، يكون رئيس الجامعة مسؤولاً أمام رئيس مجلس شؤون الجامعات طبقاً للنظام، ويتولى رئيس الجامعة إدارة الجامعة وتصريف جمي
- Article 32
The article allows a university president who holds a public post or was a faculty member to keep his post during his presidency, and counts the presidency in his service for periodic raises, promotion and retirement.
إذا كان رئيس الجامعة يشغل وظيفة عامة، أو كان عضو هيئة تدريس، فيحق له الاحتفاظ بوظيفته خلال مدة رئاسته للجامعة، وتحتسب تلك المدة في الخدمة لأغراض العلاوة الدورية
- Article 34
The article makes the deputies assistants of the university president with powers set by the regulations, lets the president assign one of them to act in his absence, and lets the chair of the Council of University Affairs name whoever runs the university when the presidency is vacant.
يعاون النواب رئيس الجامعة في إدارة شؤونها، وتحدد اللوائح صلاحياتهم، ولرئيس الجامعة تكليف أحدهم -عند تعددهم- للقيام بمهمات رئيس الجامعة عند غيابه، ولرئيس مجلس شؤ
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.