The Shura Council calls on Tabuk University to undergo digital transformation and integrate with NEOM
The Shura Council held its sixteenth regular session of the second year of its ninth term on Tuesday, chaired by His Excellency the Speaker, Sheikh Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Sheikh. The session included extensive discussions of several annual reports from Saudi universities, culminating in a set of resolutions aimed at enhancing the efficiency of higher education and strengthening university autonomy in line with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030.
Strategic guidelines for the University of Tabuk and integration with NEOM
Among its key decisions, the council urged the University of Tabuk to enhance its digital transformation capabilities, a vital requirement in line with the Kingdom's rapid technological advancements. The council also called on the university to develop and diversify its investments and endowments to ensure the sustainability of its financial resources, in addition to developing policies that support faculty members' scholarly contributions.
In a forward-looking move reflecting the importance of the university's geographical location, the Shura Council requested that the University of Tabuk study adopting an integrated working model with NEOM University. This approach aims to exchange academic, research, and operational benefits, thereby strengthening the role of education in supporting major projects and creating a learning environment aligned with the future labor market needs of the NEOM economic zone.
Context of university education development and financial sustainability
These decisions come within the framework of the state's move towards implementing the new university system, which grants universities controlled autonomy and encourages them to diversify their sources of income, moving away from total dependence on the state budget. The issue of university investment and endowments is a fundamental pillar of this transformation, ensuring the quality of educational and research outputs.
Decisions concerning the Saudi Electronic University and the Islamic University
On another front, the council directed the Saudi Electronic University to develop a clear institutional identity that enhances its local and international standing, and to build an effective investment system. The resolution also emphasized the importance of studying the reasons for student academic difficulties and developing solutions to increase retention rates and attract outstanding national talent.
Regarding the Islamic University of Madinah, the Council called for strengthening its international presence through conferences and student exchange programs, and studying the possibility of opening branches outside the Kingdom in coordination with the relevant authorities, which would enhance the Kingdom’s soft power and its leading role in the Islamic world.
Improving governance at the universities of Bisha and Najran
The decisions also included Bisha University, which the council asked to strengthen its strategic management culture and restructure its health colleges. Najran University was asked to prepare a systematic study of its institutional reality to identify and address challenges, and to complete its institutional identity in a way that reflects the comparative advantages of the Najran region.
International agreements and memoranda of understanding
The Council concluded its session by approving a number of memoranda of understanding and international agreements, including tourism cooperation with Hungary, media cooperation with Kuwait, social services with Turkey, areas of sustainable development with Bahrain, in addition to a customs agreement with Nigeria, reflecting the Kingdom’s keenness to strengthen its international relations in various fields.
