Chapter Eleven: Graduation and Degree Granting
Chapter Eleven of the higher education regulations outlines the procedures and requirements for the graduation of graduate students and the granting of academic degrees within universities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This chapter, comprising Articles 53 and 54, specifies the administrative steps following the thesis defense and the academic criteria necessary for a student to be awarded their degree.
Article 53 mandates that the head of the competent department is responsible for submitting the defense committee's report to the College Dean within a period not exceeding two weeks from the date of the thesis defense. The College Dean is then required to forward this report to the Executive Management. This process ensures a timely and efficient handling of the student's evaluation results, facilitating the subsequent administrative actions needed for graduation. The prompt submission of the defense committee's report is crucial for maintaining academic schedules and for the student to proceed toward the official awarding of their degree.
Article 54 stipulates the conditions under which a student is considered to have successfully graduated. The student must have completed all the graduation requirements as outlined in their specific program plan. This includes the successful completion of all required coursework, research projects, or thesis work as applicable. Additionally, the student's cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) must meet or exceed the minimum standard set by the University Council for their particular program. Importantly, the cumulative GPA must not be below a "Very Good" standing. This requirement underscores the emphasis placed on academic excellence within graduate studies and ensures that degrees are awarded to students who have demonstrated a high level of academic achievement throughout their program.
In summary, Chapter Eleven establishes the final administrative and academic steps necessary for graduate students to receive their degrees. By detailing the responsibilities of department heads and college deans in processing defense committee reports, and by setting clear academic standards for graduation eligibility, the chapter ensures that the degree-granting process is conducted efficiently and maintains the integrity of the university's academic standards. These regulations contribute to the overall quality and credibility of graduate education within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Article 53
The head of the competent department shall submit the defense committee's report to the College Dean within a period not exceeding two weeks from the defense date, to be forwarded to the Executive Management.
Article 54
The student graduates after successfully completing the graduation requirements according to the program plan, provided that their cumulative GPA is not less than that required by the University Council for each program and is not below "Very Good".