Article 43 of the Saudi Law of Universities
المادة 43 من نظام الجامعات · الفصل الثاني عشر: المجالس الاستشارية
A students' advisory council is formed at the university by decision of the University Council, chaired by one of the university president's deputies, and the University Council sets its competences and rules of work.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يشكل في الجامعة بقرار من مجلسها مجلس استشاري للطلاب برئاسة أحد نواب رئيس الجامعة، ويحدد مجلس الجامعة اختصاصاته وقواعد عمله.
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 43 explained in plain English
This article regulates the students' advisory council, a channel for conveying students' voice within the university.
The article contains the following elements:
- Formation: "is formed at the university", wording that does not include the word "may", unlike the international advisory council in Article 42.
- The forming body: by decision of the University Council.
- Chairmanship: it is chaired by one of the university president's deputies.
- Competences and rules of work: set by the University Council.
The University Council, according to Article 1, is the authority competent to conduct the scientific, educational, administrative and financial affairs of the university.
The article does not specify how the student members are chosen or their number, or the council's competences; all of that is left to the University Council. Its being described as "advisory" indicates that its role is to give advice and opinion.
Note the difference between this council and the international advisory council regulated by Article 42: the international council may be formed by decision of the Board of Trustees, which sets its competences, whereas the students' council is formed by the University Council, which sets its competences.
Article 44 brings a third advisory council, the faculty members' advisory council, which is formed by decision of the University Council under the chairmanship of the university president or his designee.
The importance of the article for students is that the Law provides for an advisory council for them at every university, so they can inquire about how to take part in it under what the University Council sets.
Practical example
A student at a university in Riyadh has suggestions for improving student services and wants to convey them to the university administration. This article shows that the university has a students' advisory council chaired by one of the university president's deputies, whose competences and rules of work are set by the University Council, so she can inquire about how to take part in it.
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 43 of the Saudi Law of Universities
Is there a students' council in Saudi universities?
Yes. A students' advisory council is formed at the university by decision of the University Council.
Who chairs the students' advisory council?
One of the university president's deputies.
Who sets the competences of the students' advisory council?
The University Council sets them, along with its rules of work.
More articles on Advisory Councils in the University
- Article 42
An international advisory council may be formed at the university by decision of the Board of Trustees, which sets its competences and rules of work.
يجوز أن يشكل في الجامعة مجلس استشاري دولي بقرار من مجلس الأمناء، ويحدد مجلس الأمناء اختصاصاته وقواعد عمله.
- Article 44
A faculty members' advisory council is formed at the university by decision of the University Council, chaired by the university president or his designee, and the University Council sets its competences and rules of work.
يشكل في الجامعة بقرار من مجلسها مجلس استشاري لأعضاء هيئة التدريس برئاسة رئيس الجامعة أو من ينيبه، ويحدد مجلس الجامعة اختصاصاته وقواعد عمله.
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.