About KFUPM - Organization
The Higher Education System
The major components of the higher education system in Saudi Arabia are the Council of Higher Education, the Ministry of Higher Education, seven universities distributed throughout the country, and several specialized colleges and institutions.The Council of Higher Education
The Council of Higher Education is the supreme governing body for all universities and institutions of post-secondary education in Saudi Arabia. The Council is chaired by His Majesty The King, and the Minister of Higher Education serves as the Deputy Chairman. Members include the government's ministers responsible for planning, finance, education, and civil service; the rectors of the universities; and other senior government officials concerned with post-secondary education. The Council is responsible for approving the creation of new institutions of higher education and new academic units and programs. It coordinates the activities of an institutions of higher education, approves bylaws and guidelines for university operations, and appoints vice rectors of universities.The Minister of Higher Education
The Minister of Higher Education is the immediate supervisor for the rectors of all Saudi Universities. He appoints the deans and ensures that all operations of universities are carried out in accordance with the Charter of the Council of Higher Education and Universities, and the Law. He also chairs the board of every university.The University Board
Each university has a board chaired by the Minister of Higher Education while the rector serves as the deputy chairman. Membership of the Board includes the Secretary General of the Council of Higher Education, the vice rectors, the deans, and three external members appointed by the Minister of Higher Education. The Board is responsible for all university operations, it grants degrees to students, approves textbooks and curricula of existing departments, and makes recommendations to the Council of Higher Education in other matters.The Rector of the University
The Rector is the chief academic and executive officer of the University. He is responsible for administering its affairs in accordance with the Law, the Charter of the Council of Higher Education and the Universities, government edicts, and decisions of the Council of Higher Education and the University Board. He also represents the University in contacts with outside organizations.
The Rector is assisted by three Vice Rectors (identified as Vice Rector for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, Vice Rector, and Vice Rector for Applied Research), several deans, and Councils and Standing Committees (composed of a mixture of ex-officio, appointed, and elected faculty and staff members). The faculty includes all instructional personnel holding academic ranks of Instructor / Lecturer or higher.
The three Vice Rectors (appointed for renewable three-year terms,) are assisted by Deans, Directors of the Centers in the Research Institute, Academic Department Chairs, the Director of the Information Technology Center (ITC), Director Generals and Directors of the administrative units. The Deans and Academic Department Chairs are appointed for renewable two-year terms. Director Generals and Directors of the administrative units are appointed for indefinite terms.