Article 39 of the Saudi Law of Universities
المادة 39 من نظام الجامعات · الفصل العاشر: رؤساء الأقسام
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يكون رئيس القسم مسؤولاً عن إدارة الأمور العلمية والتعليمية والبحثية والإدارية والمالية للقسم في حدود النظام ولوائحه وما يقرره مجلس الجامعة ومجلس الكلية. ويقدم رئيس القسم للعميد تقريراً عن أعمال القسم في نهاية كل عام دراسي.
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 39 explained in plain English
This article sets out the role of the head of the academic department.
First: the scope of responsibility
The department head is responsible for managing the following matters of the department:
- scientific;
- educational;
- research;
- administrative;
- financial.
Second: the limits of responsibility
This is within the limits of:
- the Law and its regulations;
- what the University Council decides;
- what the college council decides.
Third: the annual report
The department head submits to the dean a report on the department's work at the end of each academic year.
The article shows a chain of accountability: the department head reports to the dean. Note that the article expressly mentions the research aspect among the department head's responsibilities.
The department head's role differs from that of the department council, which Article 1 defines as the authority competent over academic affairs in the academic department; the department head handles administration, and the council is the authority competent over academic affairs.
This article is linked to Article 38, which provides for department heads to be appointed by decision of the university president on the nomination of college deans for two years, renewable. Article 40 moves to another subject, academic accreditation, requiring the university to obtain institutional accreditation from the Education and Training Evaluation Commission.
Anyone concerned with a decision issued by 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 39 of the Saudi Law of Universities
What are the responsibilities of a department head at a university?
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.
To whom does the department head submit his report?
He submits to the dean a report on the department's work at the end of each academic year.
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 38
Department heads in each college are appointed by decision of the university president on the nomination of college deans, for two years, renewable.
يُكلّف رؤساء الأقسام في كل كلية بقرار من رئيس الجامعة بناء على ترشيح من عمداء الكليات، ويكون التكليف لمدة سنتين قابلة للتجديد.
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.