Article 38 of the Saudi Law of Universities
المادة 38 من نظام الجامعات · الفصل العاشر: رؤساء الأقسام
Department heads in each college are appointed by decision of the university president on the nomination of college deans, for two years, renewable.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يُكلّف رؤساء الأقسام في كل كلية بقرار من رئيس الجامعة بناء على ترشيح من عمداء الكليات، ويكون التكليف لمدة سنتين قابلة للتجديد.
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 38 explained in plain English
This article regulates the appointment of heads of academic departments in colleges.
It contains three elements:
- Nomination: by the college deans; the dean is the one who proposes the name of the department head.
- Appointment: by decision of the university president.
- Term: two years, renewable; the text does not limit the number of renewals.
A clear sequence emerges: the dean nominates, and the university president decides. The article does not set out the conditions for a nominee for department head, such as academic rank or years of experience, nor whether department members are consulted on the nomination.
The academic department, according to Article 1, is an academic unit representing a general scientific specialty, and the department council is the authority competent over academic affairs in it.
This provision is similar to Article 37 on college vice deans, who are nominated by the dean and appointed by decision of the university president for two years, renewable, and who assist the dean in his work.
Article 39 then sets the responsibility of the department head: he is responsible for managing the scientific, educational, research, administrative and financial matters of the department within the limits of the Law and its regulations and what the University Council and the college council decide, and submits a report on the department's work to the dean at the end of each academic year.
Anyone concerned with the appointment or renewal of a department head may consult a lawyer specializing 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.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 38 of the Saudi Law of Universities
Who appoints a department head at a university?
He is appointed by decision of the university president on the nomination of the college dean.
How long is a department head's term?
Two years, renewable.
More articles on Deans and Department Heads
- Article 35
The article provides that the dean of a college, deanship or institute is assigned by decision of the university president for two years, renewable, under rules approved by the university's board of trustees.
يكلف عميد الكلية أو العمادة أو المعهد بقرار من رئيس الجامعة ويكون تكليفه لمدة سنتين قابلة للتجديد وفق القواعد التي يقرّها مجلس أمناء الجامعة.
- Article 36
The dean manages the scientific, educational, administrative and financial affairs of the college or institute, subject to the Law and the regulations of the higher councils, and submits a detailed annual report to the university president.
مع مراعاة ما تقضي به أحكام النظام وما يصدره مجلس شؤون الجامعات ومجلس الأمناء ومجلس الجامعة من لوائح وقواعد؛ يتولى العميد إدارة الشؤون العلمية، والتعليمية، والإد
- Article 37
Each college, deanship or institute has one or more vice deans, nominated by the dean and appointed by the university president, and the most senior vice dean deputizes for the dean during his absence or when his post is vacant.
يكون لكل كلية أو عمادة أو معهد وكيل أو أكثر من أعضاء هيئة التدريس يرشحهم العميد، ويصدر بتكليفهم قرار من رئيس الجامعة لمدة سنتين قابلة للتجديد، ويعاون الوكيل الع
- Article 39
The department head is responsible for managing the scientific, educational, research, administrative and financial matters of the department within the limits of the Law, its regulations and the decisions of the University Council and the college council, with an annual report to the dean.
يكون رئيس القسم مسؤولاً عن إدارة الأمور العلمية والتعليمية والبحثية والإدارية والمالية للقسم في حدود النظام ولوائحه وما يقرره مجلس الجامعة ومجلس الكلية. ويقدم ر
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.