Article 4 of the Saudi Law of Universities
المادة 4 من نظام الجامعات · الفصل الأول: التعريفات والأهداف
The article provides that universities and their branches are established by decision of the Council of Ministers on the recommendation of the Council of University Affairs, and sets the university's components: colleges, deanships, departments, institutes, centers and hospitals.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يكون إنشاء الجامعات وفروعها بقرار من مجلس الوزراء بناء على توصية مجلس شؤون الجامعات.
2- تتكون الجامعة من: كليات، وعمادات، وأقسام علمية، ومعاهد، ومراكز، ووحدات تعليمية دون المستوى الجامعي، ومستشفيات جامعية.
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 4 explained in plain English
This article deals with two matters: how universities are established, and their components.
Paragraph 1: establishment
- Universities and their branches are established by decision of the Council of Ministers.
- This is on the recommendation of the Council of University Affairs.
The final decision is the Council of Ministers', but it is based on a recommendation from the Council of University Affairs, which under Article 1 is the authority competent to organize university affairs and draw up their policies. This provision also covers branches, so a branch of a university is not established except in this way.
Paragraph 2: components
A university consists of:
- colleges.
- deanships.
- academic departments.
- institutes.
- centers.
- educational units below university level.
- university hospitals.
Note that the components include educational units below university level, meaning a university may offer programs that do not reach the level of a university degree. They also include university hospitals.
This article does not state how each component within the university is established, or who decides that.
The article relates to Article 3, which makes the university a public academic institution with a legal personality that is financially and administratively independent, and to Article 5, which assigns the governance, management and conduct of the university's affairs to the Board of Trustees, the University Council and the university president.
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 4 of the Saudi Law of Universities
Who decides to establish a new university in Saudi Arabia?
The Council of Ministers, on the recommendation of the Council of University Affairs.
What does a university consist of?
Colleges, deanships, academic departments, institutes, centers, educational units below university level and university hospitals.
How is a university branch established?
By decision of the Council of Ministers on the recommendation of the Council of University Affairs, like establishing the university itself.
More articles on Establishing Universities and Their Branches
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.