The Shura Council directs a review of university admissions and linking specializations to the labor market
The Saudi Shura Council held its fourteenth regular session of the second year of the ninth term on Tuesday, chaired by the Vice President of the Council, Dr. Mishaal bin Fahm Al-Sulami. The Council discussed a number of annual reports of Saudi universities and draft international agreements, issuing resolutions aimed at raising the efficiency of institutional and academic performance.
Development decisions for Al-Jouf and Taibah Universities
At the beginning of the session, the council issued a resolution calling on Al-Jouf University to review its current admissions policies to provide broader opportunities for male and female students to enroll in bachelor's degree programs. The council also urged the university to restructure its academic programs to offer specialized fields that align with the region's comparative advantages. Furthermore, the council emphasized the need to expedite the completion of university housing projects, reflecting its commitment to providing a stable and supportive learning environment for students.
In a related context, the council directed Taibah University to restructure its colleges in accordance with its institutional identity, and asked it to accelerate the pace of work on construction projects for the university’s branches in the governorates, and to complete the university hospital project in coordination with the relevant authorities, to ensure the provision of integrated educational and health services.
Aligning education with the labor market and Vision 2030
The Council's discussions of university reports, including those from Najran University, come at a time when the Kingdom is witnessing significant momentum in developing the education sector in line with the objectives of Vision 2030, specifically the Human Capital Development Program. During the discussion of Najran University's report, Council member Ghanem Al-Ghanem emphasized the need to thoroughly study labor market needs and align academic disciplines with these needs to ensure the optimal utilization of national talent and reduce the gap between educational outcomes and available job opportunities.
Strengthening academic staff and international relations
Regarding the Saudi Electronic University, the members discussed the importance of enhancing job stability for faculty members. Council member Rashid Al-Sharif pointed out the need to attract qualified individuals for permanent positions to achieve the ideal ratio between students and professors, while member Mohammed Ashri called for developing incentive solutions to raise the university’s competitiveness.
At the international level, the Council approved a draft memorandum of understanding between the Agricultural Development Fund and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and a draft general cooperation agreement with the Government of the Republic of Ghana, reflecting the Kingdom’s keenness to strengthen its international partnerships in the fields of development and the economy.
