Chapter Six: Study Programs and Study System | College of Languages and Translation

Chapter Six: Study Programs and Study System

Chapter Six of the higher education regulations focuses on the framework governing study programs and the study system for graduate studies within universities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This chapter outlines the extensive responsibilities of the Standing Committee for Graduate Studies, detailing its role in shaping, supervising, and enhancing graduate programs to ensure they meet high academic standards and align with national and international benchmarks.

Article 7 assigns a comprehensive set of tasks to the Standing Committee. The committee is responsible for proposing the general policy for graduate studies at the university and overseeing its implementation following approval by the University Council. It recommends admission requirements for graduate programs and updates them as needed, based on requests from relevant departmental, college, and institute councils. The committee supervises joint graduate programs and recommends the approval or amendment of graduate programs after thorough review and evaluation. These recommendations are made to the University Council and are based on proposals from department councils and endorsements by college councils, ensuring alignment with international standards.

Additionally, the committee recommends study plans and detailed standards to the University Council and proposes standards and evaluation rules for graduate programs. It supervises the regular evaluation of these programs through specialized committees or external bodies, ensuring continuous quality improvement. The committee reviews comprehensive reports prepared by the Executive Management on the university's graduate programs and their evaluation results, submitting these findings to the University Council.

The committee also supports proposals for determining academic degrees and certificates, including their names in both Arabic and English, based on suggestions from department and college councils. It recommends the number of students to be admitted into graduate programs each academic year and suggests guidelines for forming supervisory and thesis defense committees. Furthermore, it sets general frameworks and standards for comprehensive examinations and graduation research, establishes guidelines for research plans, and defines the rules for writing, printing, producing, and submitting theses. The committee prepares forms for thesis defense committee reports and oversees the evaluation of theses.

Article 7 continues by stating that the committee studies periodic reports related to graduate studies submitted by academic departments. It can propose offering graduate programs outside the university premises, recommending such initiatives to the University Council for appropriate action. The committee recommends approval of colleges' proposals concerning development initiatives related to graduate studies aimed at enhancing the university's financial resources. It also suggests application fees for graduate programs, tuition fees, and fees for support services, based on proposals from department and college councils.

Moreover, the committee recommends the allocation of scholarships for students, either fully or partially, in accordance with regulations approved by the University Council. It has the authority to recommend the termination or suspension of graduate programs that fail to meet quality standards or align with the university's strategy. Lastly, the committee reviews referrals made by its Chair, the University President, or the University Council to provide informed opinions. It may delegate some of its powers to the Chair and can form standing or temporary sub-committees to address specific tasks.

Article 8 outlines the operational procedures for the Standing Committee. The committee is required to meet at least once a month upon the Chair's invitation. A quorum is achieved when two-thirds of the members are present, including the Chair or a designated deputy from among the committee members. Decisions are made by a majority vote of those present, and in the case of a tie, the Chair casts the deciding vote. Decisions become effective unless contested by the University President within fifteen days of receipt. If contested, the decisions are returned to the committee with the President's comments. Should the committee uphold its original decision, the matter is escalated to the University Council, which has the final authority to ratify, amend, or annul the decision. The Chair may invite non-member individuals to attend meetings in a non-voting capacity when their expertise is deemed beneficial.

Article 9 permits the establishment of joint graduate programs either within the university—between different departments, colleges, or institutes—or between the university and external educational or research institutions, both domestic and international. Such programs must adhere to rules approved by the University Council, based on recommendations from the Standing Committee and coordinated with relevant entities. This provision encourages collaborative efforts that can enhance the quality and diversity of graduate education.

Article 10 specifies that graduate students are required to complete at least 50% of their total credit hours at the university granting the degree. Additionally, any graduation research or thesis must be conducted entirely under the university's supervision. This ensures that students are significantly engaged with the university's academic environment and resources. However, this requirement does not apply to students enrolled in joint programs, acknowledging the collaborative nature of such arrangements.

Article 11 focuses on higher diploma programs, stating that they must include academic courses, field studies, and practical or laboratory work. The duration of these programs and the number of required study units must comply with the specifications outlined in the national Classification and Framework. The University Council has the discretion, upon recommendation from the Standing Committee, to extend the duration of any program by up to half of the originally specified period. This flexibility allows programs to adapt to the depth and complexity of the subject matter, ensuring that students receive comprehensive education and training.

In summary, Chapter Six establishes a robust framework for the administration and enhancement of graduate study programs. It highlights the pivotal role of the Standing Committee in developing policies, ensuring program quality, and aligning graduate studies with both national priorities and international academic standards. The chapter underscores the importance of regular evaluation, collaborative programs, and adherence to rigorous academic requirements for program content and duration. By setting forth these regulations, the chapter aims to promote excellence, innovation, and relevance in graduate education, thereby contributing to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's goals for higher education and societal advancement.

Article 7

Without prejudice to the provisions of this Regulation, the Standing Committee shall undertake the following tasks:

Propose the general policy for graduate studies at the university and supervise its implementation after approval by the University Council.
Recommend the approval of admission requirements for graduate studies programs and update them upon the request of the councils of competent departments, colleges, and institutes.
Supervise joint graduate programs.
Recommend the approval and amendment of graduate studies programs, after thorough review and evaluation, to the University Council based on a proposal from the Department Council and endorsement by the College Council in accordance with international benchmarks and comparisons.
Recommend the approval of study plans and detailed standards to the University Council, based on a proposal from the Department Council and endorsement by the College Council.
Propose standards for graduate studies programs for approval by the University Council.
Propose rules regulating the evaluation of graduate studies programs for approval by the University Council.
Supervise the evaluation of graduate studies programs at the university on a regular basis through specialized committees or bodies inside or outside the university.
Review the comprehensive report prepared by the Executive Management on the graduate studies programs at the university and the results of evaluating those programs, and submit it to the University Council.
Recommend the approval of the college councils’ proposals regarding graduate studies programs that are compatible with community needs, the Kingdom’s plans and visions, and global trends, for approval by the University Council.
Support proposals for determining academic degrees and certificates and their names in both Arabic and English, based on the proposals of Department and College Councils.
Recommend the number of students who can be accepted each academic year in the graduate studies programs to the University Council, based on a proposal from the councils of the competent departments and the approval of the College Councils.
Suggest guidelines for forming supervisory committees and thesis defense committees.
Set general frameworks and standards for comprehensive exams and graduation research.
Establish the overall framework for research plans and the rules governing the writing, printing, production, and submission of theses; prepare forms for thesis defense committee reports; and evaluate theses.
Study periodic reports related to graduate studies submitted by the academic departments at the university.
Propose the offering of graduate studies programs outside the university premises and submit this to the University Council for appropriate action.
Recommend the approval of colleges’ proposals regarding development initiatives related to graduate studies to enhance the university’s financial resources.
Recommend the determination of application fees for graduate programs, tuition fees for the programs, and fees for support services related to graduate studies, based on proposals from the Department and College Councils.
Recommend the allocation of scholarships for students, in full or in part, in accordance with the regulations approved by the University Council.
Recommend the termination or suspension of graduate studies programs that do not comply with quality standards or the university’s strategy.
Review referrals made by the Chair of the Standing Committee, the University President, or the University Council in order to provide its opinion. The Committee may delegate some of its authorities to its Chair and may also form standing or temporary committees from among its members or others to study assigned tasks.

Article 8

The Standing Committee shall meet upon a call by its Chair at least once a month. A meeting is valid only if attended by at least two-thirds of its members, including the Chair or a designated deputy from among the Committee members. Decisions are made by a majority vote of the members present. In case of a tie, the Chair of the meeting shall have the casting vote.

The decisions of the Standing Committee shall be effective unless contested by the University President within fifteen days from the date of receipt. If contested, they shall be returned with the University President’s comments to the Standing Committee. If the Standing Committee maintains its position, the disputed decisions shall be referred to the University Council for resolution at its next ordinary or extraordinary meeting. The University Council may ratify, amend, or cancel the decisions, and its decision in this matter is final.

The Chair of the Standing Committee may invite any individuals deemed necessary to attend certain Committee meetings in a non-voting capacity.

Article 9

Joint graduate studies programs may be established between departments, colleges, or institutes within the university; or between the university and educational or research institutions inside or outside the Kingdom. This shall be done in accordance with rules approved by the University Council based on the recommendation of the Standing Committee and after coordination with the relevant colleges, departments, or competent entities.

Article 10

A graduate student must complete at least fifty percent of the total number of credits required for the degree at the university that will grant the academic degree. Additionally, the student must complete their graduation research or thesis, if any, entirely under the university's supervision. This Article does not apply to students enrolled in joint programs.

Article 11

The study for the higher diploma shall consist of academic courses and field studies, as well as applied and laboratory work. The study period of the program and the number of study units must be in accordance with the specifications in the Classification and Framework. The University Council, based on a proposal from the Standing Committee, may increase the study period for any program by up to half of the specified period.