المملكة: Urgent: Details: The Shura Council issues directives to a number of universities

The Council took its decision after listening to the viewpoint of the Education and Scientific Research Committee, which was read by Council member and Chairman of the Committee Nasser Tayaran, regarding the members’ observations and opinions that they expressed in a previous session regarding what was included in the annual report of Umm Al-Qura University for the academic year 2024 AD.

Umm Al-Qura University

In its decision, the Council called on Umm Al-Qura University to prepare a digital institutional communication strategy; To enhance its presence and position locally and internationally.

In its decision, the Council also called on Umm Al-Qura University to coordinate with the relevant authorities; To work on completing its infrastructure in the branches in a way that enhances the quality of its outputs, and to study the establishment of branches outside the Kingdom.

King Abdulaziz University

The Council also issued another resolution during this session regarding what was included in the annual report of King Abdulaziz University for the academic year 2024 AD, in which it called on King Abdulaziz University to develop the governance system and institutional performance, and enhance the efficiency of resource investment; To achieve institutional leadership locally and globally.

In its decision, the Council also called on the university to review the methodology for preparing its strategic initiatives and develop measurement tools; In a way that ensures achieving the expected impact.

The Council took its decision after listening to the point of view of the Education and Scientific Research Committee, regarding the members’ observations and opinions that they expressed in a previous session regarding what was included in the annual report of King Abdulaziz University for the academic year 2024 AD.

Economic Challenges

In its decision, the Council called on King Abdulaziz University to review the structure of its research centers and develop them; To be national solutions centers concerned with addressing economic and societal challenges, and linking their performance to measurement indicators based on impact and sustainability.

In the same resolution, the Council called on King Abdulaziz University to prepare a comprehensive study of the reasons for the high percentage of its scholarship students returning without obtaining an academic qualification, and to develop more effective mechanisms to address that.

In its decision, the Council also called on the university to coordinate with the relevant authorities; To enhance the investment of its experience in sports for persons with disabilities; In a way that contributes to disseminating the experience and developing its own resources.

Northern Border University

In another decision taken during this session, the Shura Council called on the Northern Border University to restructure the colleges of the Rafha and Turaif Governorates in terms of expanding admission, and offering bachelor’s programs that are compatible with the comparative advantage of each governorate.

The Council took its decision after listening to the point of view of the Education and Scientific Research Committee, regarding the members’ observations and opinions that they expressed in a previous session regarding what It was included in the annual report of Northern Border University for the academic year 2024.

In its decision, the Council called on Northern Border University to coordinate with the relevant authorities; To find sustainable solutions to address the deficiencies in the university’s infrastructure and equipment.

Strategic Partnerships

In its decision, the Council also called on the University to coordinate with the relevant authorities to build strategic partnerships with the mining sectors; In a way that contributes to supporting economic and knowledge development in the region, and increasing the added value of the national economy.

In the same context, the Council issued a decision during the session regarding the contents of Qassim University’s annual report for the academic year 2024 AD, in which it called on Qassim University to highlight its institutional identity and its field of research focus; In a way that reflects the relative advantage of the Qassim region.

Qassim University

The Council also called in its decision on Qassim University to include its strategic objectives, initiatives and indicators within an integrated framework of a clear strategic plan, and to determine what has been achieved; In order to ensure the clarity of the impact and effectiveness of implementation.

The Council took its decision after listening to a response from Council member and Chairman of the Education and Scientific Research Committee, Nasser Tayaran, regarding the observations and opinions expressed by Council members regarding what was included in the annual report of Qassim University after it was put up for discussion during this session.

In its decision, the Council called on Qassim University to develop the human resources system; In a way that enhances the quality of its institutional performance and operational efficiency.

Integrated indicators

The Council also requested, in the same resolution, the university to build integrated indicators; To measure the impact of supported startups in transforming knowledge into sustainable economic and social value, and to study the causes of academic failure and address them; In a way that contributes to improving the university student experience.

And in another decision taken during this session regarding the memorandums of understanding included on the agenda of this session, the Council approved a draft memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Sports in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports in the Sultanate of Brunei Darussalam for cooperation in the field of youth and sports.

The Council also approved a draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation between the Saudi Food and Drug Authority in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Food and Economic Safety Authority of the Portuguese Republic. With issues related to their field of special expertise.

Princess Noura University

In addition, during this session, the Council discussed the annual report of Princess Noura Bint Abdul Rahman University for the academic year 2024 AD, after listening to a report submitted by the Education and Scientific Research Committee, followed by Council member and Chairman of the Committee Nasser Tayaran, regarding what was included in the annual report of Princess Noura Bint Abdul Rahman University.

After putting the committee’s report up for discussion, the Council members expressed a number of Notes and opinions regarding what is included in the annual report of Princess Noura bint Abdulrahman University?

Shura Council member Abdullah Al-Najjar called on Princess Noura bint Abdulrahman University to redesign its academic programs according to a model "Integrated education for future skills guided by global opportunities" With the establishment of practical partnership mechanisms with major companies present in the city of Riyadh, and benefiting from major conferences and events as educational and training simulation platforms.

A global association of universities

In turn, Shura Council member Hisham Al-Fares suggested that Princess Nourah University take the initiative to work on establishing a global association for women’s universities and colleges, in order to coordinate and develop the efforts of these universities and colleges, in a way that enhances the university’s position regionally and internationally.

And in his intervention on the report of Prince Nourah University Bint Abdul Rahman: Member of the Shura Council, Mufleh Al-Qahtani, saw the importance of Princess Nourah Bint Abdul Rahman University’s expansion of postgraduate master’s and doctoral programs. Compared to the bachelor’s level, as it is considered a quality university.

A global classification of universities

For her part, a member of the Shura Council, Her Highness Princess Al-Jawhara Al Saud, called on the university to coordinate with the relevant authorities to study the preparation of a global classification of possible universities for women in the field of leadership, creativity and innovation, in a way that enhances their presence and position globally.

In turn, a member of the Shura Council, Laila Fida, called on Princess Noura bint Abdulrahman University to intensify entrepreneurship courses within its programs. Bachelor’s degree for the specializations of the College of Designs and Arts.

In her intervention on the report of Princess Noura University, Shura Council member Mona Al-Fadhli called on the university to strengthen strategic partnerships between local, regional and international universities and various sectors and productive partnerships to enhance studies and precise specializations related to women’s affairs in all fields.

At the end of the discussion, the committee asked to be given more time to study the opinions and proposals put forward by the members and to return its point of view to the council in a later session.

Al Baha University

The Council also discussed during this session the annual report of Al Baha University for the academic year 2024 AD, after listening to a report submitted by the Education and Scientific Research Committee, regarding what was included in the annual report of Al Baha University.

After putting the committee’s report up for discussion, the members of the Council expressed a number of observations and opinions regarding what was included in the annual report of Al Baha University, where Shura Council member Ghanem Al-Ghanim called on Al Baha University to study new initiatives. And establishing investment models that can contribute to achieving the university’s goals in enhancing self-resources and financial sustainability.

Plans for continuous improvement

In his intervention on the report, Shura Council member Abdullah Al-Zahrani stressed the importance of Al-Baha University developing plans for continuous improvement and organization of the College of Dentistry’s clinics and equipping them to ensure an effective clinical training environment, qualifying graduates for the labor market, and contributing to raising the quality of therapeutic services.

Shura Council member Abdullah also called for Al Tawi, Al Baha University, by moving from e-learning models that support in-person education to completely independent, distance-based program models that grant accredited professional or academic certificates, which requires clear regulatory frameworks, specialized accreditations, and operating models different from traditional programs.

In the same context, Shura Council member Muhammad Al-Aqeel called for the necessity of Al Baha University to invest in the opportunities available to it, from investment projects, supporting local capital, and establishing partnerships with the private sector, stressing that establishing endowments is an effective strategic option to confront the challenges. Finance and enhancing sustainability.

At the end of the discussion, the committee requested to be given more time to study the opinions and proposals put forward by members and return its point of view to the Council at a later session.