Shura Council: Important decisions to develop Saudi universities 2024
The Shura Council held its sixteenth regular session of the second year of its ninth term on Tuesday, chaired by His Excellency the Speaker of the Council, Sheikh Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Sheikh. This session comes within the framework of the oversight and legislative role undertaken by the Council to keep pace with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, particularly in the higher education sector, which is undergoing radical transformations towards institutional independence and operational efficiency.
Strategic decisions of the Saudi Electronic University
In its initial educational decisions, the Council directed the Saudi Electronic University to develop a clear institutional identity that enhances its standing both locally and internationally. The decision emphasized the importance of financial sustainability, requiring the university to establish a diversified investment portfolio to support its financial independence—a direction consistent with the new university system that encourages academic institutions to diversify their revenue streams and reduce their reliance on the state budget.
The council also addressed academic challenges, calling for a comprehensive study of the reasons for students’ difficulties and the development of solutions to increase retention rates, in addition to intensifying efforts to attract outstanding national talents.
Strengthening soft power through the Islamic University
In the context of strengthening the Kingdom's international presence, the Shura Council called on the Islamic University of Madinah to expand its global influence. The Council urged the university to explore opening branches outside the Kingdom in coordination with relevant authorities and to increase its participation in international conferences and forums. This directive reflects the university's role as a beacon of knowledge and a key instrument of the Kingdom's soft power in promoting moderation, tolerance, and cultural exchange with the world.
Strategic integration between Tabuk University and NEOM
Given the strategic geographic location and economic importance of the Tabuk region, the council urged the University of Tabuk to enhance its digital transformation capabilities and develop its investments and endowments. In a move to link education with major projects, the council called on the university to explore adopting an integrated working model with NEOM University, enabling the exchange of academic and research benefits and supporting the needs of the mega-project NEOM for expertise and applied research.
Governance of academic institutions in Bisha and Najran
Regarding Bisha University, the council stressed the need to promote a culture of strategic management and mature corporate governance, calling for the restructuring of health colleges in coordination with the Council of University Affairs to align with national priorities.
As for Najran University, the council asked it to prepare a systematic study of its institutional reality to identify and address the challenges, and to complete its institutional identity in a way that reflects the comparative advantages of the Najran region, in addition to developing its system in digital transformation.
International agreements and other topics
On the international relations front, the Council approved several memoranda of understanding and agreements, including tourism cooperation with Hungary, media cooperation with Kuwait, social services with Turkey, sustainable development with Bahrain, and a customs agreement with Nigeria. The Council also discussed the annual report of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Park Foundation, granting the relevant committee time to review the observations and present its findings at a later session.
