RIYADH: The Saudi Council of University Affairs will cut red tape through a number of reforms to improve performance and increase organizational agility in universities.
The council, headed by Education Minister Dr. Hamad al-Sheikh, reduced the number of agencies in major Saudi universities to four, while in “emerging” universities, it reduced the number to three.
All four should be allocated to scientific colleges, health colleges, theoretical colleges and a center in the field of university interests and orientation, with faculty members to be appointed to preside over only those centres. No deputation, assistant or advisor can be appointed from the Faculty.
Deanships of community service will also be merged with applied college units on the main campuses of Saudi universities.
Community service units will also be linked to university agencies.
The Council also requires universities to convert all assistant deanships of an operational nature into departments (with the exception of deanships of Admission and Registration, Student Affairs, Development and Quality). This is in addition to a maximum of two other deanships chosen by the Council, “according to the needs and instructions of the University.”
Dr Khalid Al Aqwa, chairman of the board of the Saudi Society for Quality in the Mecca Region, told Arab News that “the mechanism to improve the structure of educational institutions issued by the council ensures the optimization of the university’s cost, time and effort.”
“These resolutions enable quick access and ensure that universities develop along with scientific changes, as well as improve the quality of education.”
Al Aqwa, a European Foundation for Quality Management Evaluator, said bureaucracy in university administration, as well as overlap and repetition of functions, can hinder the performance of tertiary institutions.
He said the lengthy processes had affected the development of educational services, and the council’s measures would take steps to promote efficiency.