Private Higher Education. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Transcription

1 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

2 Contents Foreword Outline of the History of in the Kingdom General Directorate for The Relationship between Private Colleges and Universities and the Ministry of Higher Education Licensing Regulations for Private Colleges and Universities Scholarship Program for Students in Private Education Private Universities and Their Specializations

3 Introduction The Ministry of Higher Education is convinced of the need to provide opportunities for the private sector to invest in private education through the establishment of colleges and universities which will support the progress of higher education and share its approach, goals and concerns. In order to achieve this, the Ministry has carried out numerous steps and provided facilitation and incentives to the private sector to enable it to play a role in this vital sector and participate side-by-side with public higher education. This conviction coincides with the approach of the Sixth Development Plan (AH / ) which sought to broaden the base of higher education through the participation of the private sector in the establishment of private colleges. Council of Ministers decision no. 33 of AH 1418/1997 approved the enablement of the private sector to establish non-profit educational institutions on sound administrative, scientific, economic, and financial grounds, in order to participate in meeting the needs of development in a way which would complement the role played by the government universities. The Ministry has granted much attention to the subject of private higher education and established the deputy Ministry for in order to supervise it and take part in its support and development, based upon its belief in its importance alongside public higher education in serving the needs of the comprehensive cultural development which the Kingdom is experiencing. The best way to accomplish this is by encouraging investment in knowledge, in order to build a generation of youth which has been provided with mankind s latest achievements in the sciences and knowledge in general. Also important in this context are the establishment of advanced scientific and academic centers and the nationalization of educational experience. For these reasons, the Ministry established the General Directorate for charged with its supervision, support and development. Anyone who follows the progress of private higher education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will notice remarkable development in its institutions, rapid growth in its departments, and a careful approach dedicated to providing a standard of higher education which is widely acknowledged and accepted on a variety of levels. This book presents insights into the experience, institutions, and achievements of private institutions of higher education in the Kingdom, in addition to some information of use to students.

4 7 Outline of the History of in the Kingdom

5 The Origins of Strategic Objectives of the General Directorate for Private Higher Education The stages of development through which the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has passed have witnessed uninterrupted growth in the contributions of the private sector towards the realization of the economic and social goals of development. Among its objectives, the Sixth Development Plan (AH / ) included concern for the expansion of the base of higher education through the participation of the private sector in opening private colleges. The Council of Ministers decision no. 33 for AH 1418/1997, approved granting the private sector the right to establish non-profit educational institutions based on sound administrative, scientific, economic and financial foundations to participate in answering the requirements of development, thereby complementing the role played by government universities. In this regard, it may be appropriate to review some of the events associated with the history of private higher education: In AH 1412/ , the Ministry of Higher Education began the preparation of studies regarding private higher education. On 18/2/AH 1418 (24/6/1997), the Council of Ministers issued its resolution no. 33 which charged the Ministry of Higher Education with the preparation of a new proposal for the establishment of private colleges and enabled the private sector to found non-profit educational institutions. On 6 Safar AH 1419/1 June 1998, the Higher Education Council issued its resolution no. 3/10/1419 which approved the regulatory statutes for non-profit private colleges. On 8 Jumada II AH 1419/29 September 1998, the Council of Ministers issued its resolution no. 127 which delegated the authority to license the establishment of charitable foundations devoted to post-secondary educational objectives to the Ministry of Higher Education. On 4 Muharram AH 1420/20 April 1999, The Minister of Higher Education issued resolution no. 334 which approved the executive regulations governing the establishment and licensing of private post-secondary level colleges. On 1 Ramadan AH 1421/27 Nov. 2000, the Council of Ministers by its resolution no. 212 approved the private college statutes which permitted establishment of private colleges by the private sector. On 15 Muharram AH 1422/9 April 2001, the Minister of Higher Education issued resolution no. 35/1/1398 which approved the executive regulations and the administrative and technical procedures contained in the private college statutes. On 1 Rabi II AH 1423/12 June 2002, royal decree no. 7/b/10466 was promulgated which approved the foundation of Prince Sultan University and Alfaisal University. On 6 Rabi II AH 1423/17 June 2002, the Council of Ministers issued resolution no. 87 approving rental of government-owned lands at nominal rates and provision of soft loans to private colleges. On 9 Safar AH 1424/11 April 2003, a royal directive was issued approving the statutes of private colleges. On 18 Shaban AH 1427/11 Sept. 2006, royal decree 6034mb was issued which approved the project for study scholarships for male and female students in private higher education. The General Directorate for operates in accordance with a clearly-defined vision so as to carry out its mission and transform its strategic goals into visible reality. The Directorate s Vision The General Directorate for endeavors to enable the private sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to offer higher education in accordance with international standards of quality and academic accreditation in a manner which realizes the Kingdom s higher education policy. Mission The mission of the Directorate is to plan, organize and supervise institutions of private higher education in accordance with a vision and goals which it shares with them, and the policy of higher education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Goals 1. Set down and implement a vision and strategies for private higher education, and evaluate its outputs. 2. ffer consulting, organizational and supervisory services to private higher education institutions.work to develop the products of private higher education (teaching, research, community service). 3. Work to develop the products of private higher education (teaching, research, community service). 4. Develop a shared vision and coordination between private higher education institutions and their public sector counterparts. 5. Development and implementation of mechanisms of assessment and academic accreditation for private colleges and universities. 6. Development of mechanisms for evaluation and academic accreditation for private universities and colleges. 7. Follow-up of private institutions of higher education and supervision of their academic performance.. 9

6 Achievements of the General Directorate for The Relationship between the Ministry of Higher Education and Institutions The General Directorate for has realized a number of achievements, including: 1. Preparation of the regulatory statutes and executive regulations governing investment in the field of private higher education. 2. Granted 7 licenses to open private universities; the universities have opened and teaching has begun. 3. Granted 41 licenses to open private colleges; the colleges have opened and teaching has begun. 4. Issued 65 provisional licenses for the establishment of private colleges. 5. Provided scholarships for bachelor s degree students which have benefited 23,850 male and female students. 6. Provided scholarships for master s degree students which have benefited 347 male and female students. 7. Coordinated with the Ministry of Finance to arrange loans for private higher education institutions. 8. Coordinated with the Ministry of Municipalities and Rural Affairs to grant lands to private higher education institutions or rent them to them at nominal cost The Directorate offers a number of electronic services through its website within the portal of the Ministry of Higher Education. 10. Offers advice and assistance in the area of development and problem solving for private universities and colleges. 11. Commissioned specialized committees to visit private colleges and universities in order to assess their progress and ascertain the quality of their outputs. Private colleges and universities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are connected with the Ministry of Higher Education by firm regulatory, supervisory and academic ties. The relationship between them is made manifest on the following levels: Licensing The General Directorate for studies requests to establish private colleges and universities to determine the extent of their participation in human development projects in the Kingdom and whether their proposed fields of specialization meet market demands, and also to evaluate the feasibility study presented by the parties submitting the requests. The procedure for obtaining a license consists of four stages: Stage One: Preliminary Licensing Preliminary licensing is the initial approval for the establishment of a private college which is granted by the Ministry upon review of the economic feasibility study; the names of the founders; the proposed name of the institution; its site; and its mission and goals. Also taken into consideration in this stage are detailed information concerning the proposed institution s material, human and financial resources; academic departments; degrees to be offered; and proposed opening date. Stage Two: General Accreditation General accreditation is awarded after the proposed college or university fulfills the technical, structural and organizational specifications and criteria, including the minimum number of buildings (lecture halls, laboratories, library, offices for faculty and administrators, and other buildings for extracurricular and sporting activities, etc.). Stage Three: Special Accreditation records and files, the equipment required for laboratories and workshops, qualifications of faculty members and the like; and after it has been ascertained that the qualifications of the administrative staff correspond to the positions proposed in the college s organizational structure; and after evaluation of the proposed academic programs and appointment of the board of trustees, the college becomes qualified to teach the desired specialization. Stage Four: Final Licensing After making certain of the guarantees required for the continuance of the college, the Ministry grants the college permission to commence its activity. 11 After it has been ascertained that the college has fulfilled the requirements related to the library, teaching aids and media,

7 Membership in the Board of Trustees Graduate Studies in Private Colleges and Universities The Board of Trustees is usually nominated to consist of four members chosen from the founders of the private college, or those nominated by them and a representative of the Ministry of Higher Education, in addition to the dean of the college and two specialized faculty members, of at least Associate Professor rank, selected from Saudi government or private universities and nominated by the Minister of Higher Education. The goal behind the selection of the Board of Trustees is the creation of a working team composed of a selection of investors and academic specialists for the academic development of the college and the participation of investors in strategic decisions of importance to the college, such as increasing the number of students, academic majors, scientific research, selection of faculty members, and methods of financing this expansion. Evaluation of Curricula The Ministry of Higher Education undertakes the evaluation of the course of study for each major to be offered by the proposed private college or university through the agency of an accredited government university or research and consulting institute. The course of study is then presented to the General Committee for Licensing and Accreditation, followed by the National Commission for Academic Accreditation and Assessment for approval. Supervision The Ministry of Higher Education monitors the performance of private institutions of higher education through academic, financial and administrative reports which are prepared by the Ministry in accordance with specific criteria. Supervision is also carried out through periodic field visits by specialized committees whose goal is to evaluate the relationship between students, faculty and the like and administrators in order to guarantee the continued operation of the private colleges and the realization of a good return on investment which will assist the college in expansion in the area of scientific research, the development of its academic, technical and administrative programs and staff, and the realization of the goals of the development plans through qualification of graduates needed in the labor market. Application of Standards of Quality The General Directorate for devotes much of its efforts to ensuring quality and distinction in institutions of higher education through the application of quality standards sanctioned by the National Commission for Academic Accreditation and Assessment. This proceeds in accordance with the Directorate s vision of work proceeding along two parallel tracks: horizontal expansion represented by the encouragement of investment in higher education, and vertical expansion through the application of standards of quality and academic accreditation in those institutions. So as to ensure advanced levels of quality, the General Directorate for Private Higher education carries out periodic visits to private colleges and universities to investigate the progress of the educational process, and learn the extent to which these colleges and universities adhere to the various standards of quality on the levels of the bachelor s degree and graduate studies. Graduate Studies in Private Colleges and Universities After the success achieved by institutions of private university education on the bachelor s degree level during the first ten years in which the Ministry began to grant licenses to private colleges and universities, these institutions began to expand through inaugurating graduate studies programs, which seek to provide opportunities for male and female students whom circumstances did not permit to enroll in graduate studies programs in government universities or to study abroad. At the same time, the private higher education institutions aim to play a role in realizing development goals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Ministry has laid down conditions and regulations governing the development of graduate studies programs in private colleges and universities, the most important of which are as follows: 1. A program of graduate studies in a private college or university can only be begun in accordance with a resolution of the Minister of Higher Education in the light of a recommendation of the General Committee for Licenses and Academic Accreditation. 2. Graduate studies programs should be a continuation of bachelor s degree programs which have graduated at least one class, although this condition may be overlooked on the condition that acceptable grounds are presented. 3. The educational institution must have an internal quality control system including periodic self-assessment of graduate studies programs, based on academic performance indicators which reflect good practice in educational activities in those programs. 4. Bachelor s degree programs which desire to inaugurate graduate studies programs must be evaluated by a specialized committee in order to determine if the necessary qualifications to offer such programs exist. The institution is required to obtain accreditation for the program during a period of no more than four years from the commencement of instruction. 5. There must be at least four faculty members of associate professor rank or above in the specialization of the graduate studies program, 50% of whom must work full time in the educational institution concerned The student/faculty ratio in a single program must not exceed 10/1. 7. External examiners for thesis examinations must be selected from government universities subject to the approval of the General Directorate for Private Higher Education. The first graduate studies program to win approval was the Master s degree program in business administration at Prince Sultan University. This was followed by other universities as shown in the following table: Commencement of graduate studies programs in private higher education institutions No. College/University Year 1 Prince Sultan University 2007 Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University College of Business Administration Riyadh College for Dentistry and Pharmacy 5 Al Yamamah University Prince Sultan College for Tourism and Business in Jeddah AH Dar Al Uloom University 2010 Alfaisal College for Graduate 8 AH 1431 Studies Prince Sultan College for Tourism 9 AH 1431 and Business (Abha) 10 Alfaisal University Effat University AH

8 Ministry Support for Internal Scholarship Program for Private Colleges and Universities TThe Ministry of Higher Education has devoted a great degree of care and concern to private higher education, and granted it clear support in order to encourage its institutions to carry out their missions in the service of the Kingdom s development. Several resolutions have been issued to encourage investors to participate in the expansion of this important sector, among the most significant of which are the following: 1. Council of Ministers resolution no. 87 of 6/4/AH 1423 (17/6/2002) ordered leasing of government lands at nominal cost to private colleges and universities. 2. Soft loans are made available to licensed private colleges through the Ministry of Finance and National Economy, on the same basis as private hospitals, for which soft loans were made available in accordance with Council of Ministers resolution no of 27/9/AH 1394 (14/10/1974). 3. Scholarships are granted to 30% of students in private colleges and universities to a maximum of 2000 scholarships for the five-year period (AH / ), in accordance with royal approval no. 6304mb of 18/8/AH 1427 (11/9/2006). 4. Payment of 50% of the fees of students accepted annually in private colleges and universities during the five-year period AH ( ). 5. Private colleges and universities are assisted in obtaining work and visit visas to fulfill their requirements of faculty and other employees. 6. graduate studies in a private college or university can only be begun in accordance with a resolution of the Minister of Higher Education in the light of a recommendation of the General Committee for Licenses and Academic Accreditation. 7. Graduate studies programs should be a continuation of bachelor s degree programs which have graduated at least one class, although this condition may be overlooked on the condition that acceptable grounds are presented. 8. The educational institution must have an internal quality control system including periodic self-assessment of graduate studies programs, based on academic performance indicators which reflect good practice Internal Scholarship Program for Private Colleges and Universities Council of Ministers resolution no. 29 dated 3/2/AH 1431 (18/1/2010) ordained payment of fees for 50% of students studying in private colleges and universities in the specializations of their choice if they have not been accommodated in government universities. To implement this resolution, the Ministry of Higher Education has laid down the following regulations and mechanisms: 1. Scholarships are restricted to colleges and universities which meet the following conditions: a) The college or university must have received permission to begin operation. b) The investor must have received permission to begin construction, paid the required fees, obtained a contract for implementation of the project, and actually commenced construction on land which he owns or has leased from the government on a long-term contract c) The National Commission for Academic Accreditation and Assessment must have granted accreditation to the majors of the college or university included in the scholarship program. 2. The Ministry awards scholarships to students in private colleges and universities in accordance with the following regulations: a) Scholarships are restricted to fields of specialization approved by the Ministry. b) The value of the scholarship at the level of the bachelor s degree shall not exceed the annual upper limit of fees approved by the Ministry (70,000 Saudi riyals for medicine and dentistry; 55,000 Saudi riyals for auxiliary medical sciences, pharmacy and nursing; 45,000 Saudi riyals for engineering and computer science; 40,000 Saudi riyals for administrative sciences, law and education). In the case of graduate studies, the value of the scholarship shall not exceed 70,000 Saudi riyals per annum. c The value of the scholarship shall not exceed the fees paid by students studying in the private college or university who are not covered by the scholarship program. d) Scholarships shall be subject to review on an annual basis, and shall be renewed for students who have obtained the highest cumulative grade point average, but not less than good for the bachelor s degree level, and very good for graduate students. 3. Students must fulfill the following conditions for acceptance in the scholarship program at the bachelor s degree level: a) The student must be a Saudi citizen or someone granted equivalent treatment. b) The student must exhibit good conduct and behavior. c) The student must be registered in a private college or university included in the scholarship program. d) The student must not take longer the minimum time required to obtain the degree. e) The student must study in the private college or university on a full-time basis and must enroll for a minimum of 12 credit hours per academic term. f) The student must have achieved a cumulative credit point average at the secondary level of very good and an aptitude test score of at least 65% for freshman students. g) The student who has studied on a diploma basis must have attained a score of at least very good. h) The student must not be employed. 4. Students must fulfill the following conditions for acceptance in the scholarship program at the graduate studies level: a) The student must have received the bachelor s degree with a grade of at least very good. b) The student must be a Saudi citizen or someone granted equivalent treatment. c) The student must exhibit good conduct and behavior. d) The student must not take longer the standard time required to obtain the degree. e) The student must study full-time. f) The student must not be employed. In order to facilitate the application process for internal scholarships, the General Directorate for Private Higher Education provides the following link to the relevant page on the Ministry s website: 15

9 17 Institutions

10 Institutions - Universities Prince Sultan University Alfaisal University Effat University Dar Al-Hekma College 19 Date teaching commenced: AH 1420/1421 (1999/2000) Undergraduate majors: Marketing, Finance, Accounting, Computer Science, Information Science, English Language and Translation, Law (women only) Graduate majors: Business Administration Arab Open University Date teaching commenced: AH 1423/1424 (2002/2003) Undergraduate majors: Information Technology and Computer Program, General Diploma in Education, Business Administration Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University Location: al-khubar Date teaching commenced: AH 1427/1428 ( 2006/2007) Undergraduate majors: College of Business Administration (Accounting, Business Administration, Finance, Management Information Systems); College of Information Sciences (Information Sciences, Computer Sciences, Computer Engineering); College of Engineering (Electrical Engineering men only, Mechanical Engineering men only, Civil Engineering men only, Interior Design women only) Graduate majors: Business Administration Date teaching commenced: AH 1427/1428 (206/2007) Undergraduate majors: Medicine, Engineering, Science, Business Administration Graduate majors: Business Administration Al Yamamah University Date teaching commenced: AH 1424/1425 (2003/2004) Undergraduate majors: College of Business Administration (Accounting, Marketing, Finance, Quality Management, Management Information Systems, Insurance); College of Computer and Information Sciences (Networks and Information Security, Programming and Databases, Multimedia and Drawings, E-Commerce) Graduate Majors: Business Administration Date teaching commenced: AH 1420/1421 (1999/2000) Undergraduate majors: College of Humanities and Social Sciences (Early Childhood Studies, English Language and Translation, Psychology); College of Engineering ( Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Sciences, Information Sciences, Architecture); College of Business (Finance and Accounting, Marketing, Human Resources Management, Operations and Information Management, Entrepreneurship) Dar Al Uloom University Date teaching commenced: AH 1429/1430 Undergraduate majors: College of Computer Engineering and Information Technology (Computer Sciences, Program Engineering, Information Technology); College of Business Administration (Accounting, Finance, Banking, Marketing, Human Resources); College of Law (Public Law, Private Law); College of Education (Early Learning, Special Education, English Language, Computer); College of Architectural Engineering (Architectural Engineering, Interior Design, Graphic Design) Graduate majors: Criminal Law, Commercial Law Date teaching commenced: AH 1420/1421 (1999/2000) Undergraduate majors: Graphic Design, Interior Design, Banking and Finance, Management Information Systems, Special Education gifted students; learning disabilities; pronunciation, speech and hearing sciences, Nursing, Law, Prince Sultan College for Tourism and Business (Abha) Location: Abha Date teaching commenced: AH 1420/1421 (1999/2000) Undergraduate majors: Tourism and Hospitality Management, Diploma in Tourism and Hospitality, Business Administration Master s degree majors: Business Administration men only Al-Baha College of Science Location: al-baha Date teaching commenced: AH 1422/1423 (2001/2002) Undergraduate majors: Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Management Information Systems, Accounting

11 Institutions - Colleges Institutions - Colleges College of Business Administration Date teaching commenced: AH 1424/1425 (2003/2004) Undergraduate majors: Marketing, Management Information Systems, Human Resources Management, Finance, Accounting, Business Supply Management, Information Technology Master s degree majors: Business Administration Ibn Sina National College for Medical Studies Date teaching commenced: AH 1425/1426 (2004/2005) Undergraduate majors Qasim College 21 Dr. Soliman Fakeeh College for Nursing and Medical Science Date teaching commenced: AH 1424/1425 (2003/2004) Undergraduate majors: Nursing, Medical Sciences, Medical Laboratories Location: al-qasim Date teaching commenced: AH 1426/1427 (2005/2006) Undergraduate majors: Dentistry, Sharia and Law, English Language, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Systems Riyadh College of Dentistry and Pharmacy Date teaching commenced: AH 1424/1425 (2003/2004) Undergraduate majors: Dentistry and Oral Surgery, Dental and Oral Health, Pharmacy, Dental Technology, Nursing, Medical Laboratory Sciences Diploma majors: Dental Assistant, Dental and Oral Health, Dental Technician, Pharmacy Technician, Medical Laboratory Technician Master s degree majors: Restorative Dentistry, Prosthodontics, Periodontics, Endodontics, Orthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Diagnostic Oral Sciences, Dental Public Health Prince Fahd Bin Sultan College Location: Tabuk Date teaching commenced: AH 1426/1427 (2005/2006) Undergraduate majors: College of Computer Science (Computer Science, Computer Engineering); College of Business Administration (Management, Marketing, Accounting, Finance); College of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering)

12 Institutions - Colleges Institutions - Colleges Prince Sultan College for Tourism and Business Date teaching commenced: AH 1427/1428 (2006/2007) Undergraduate majors: Tourism and Hotel Management, Diploma in Tourism and Hotels, Business Administration Master s degree majors: Business Administration Batterjee Medical College Date teaching commenced: AH 1427/1428 (2006/2007) Undergraduate majors: General Medicine, Nursing, Physical Therapy, Health Management, Radiology, Laboratories, Emergency Care, Dentistry, Pharmacy Arriyadah College of Medical Sciences Date teaching commenced: AH 1427/1428 (2006/2007) Undergraduate majors: Nursing Almarifah College for Science and Technology Date teaching commenced: AH 1429/1430 Undergraduate majors: Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Computer Science, Information Systems, Respiratory Care 23 Saad College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences Location: al-khubar Date teaching commenced: AH 1427/1428 (2006/2007) Undergraduate majors: Nursing Buraydah College Location: Buraydah Date teaching commenced: AH 1429/1430 Undergraduate majors: College of Applied Medical Sciences (Nursing, Radiology, Physical Therapy, Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, Environmental Health Sciences, Nutrition, Medical Records); College of Dentistry and Pharmacy; College of Engineering; College of Computer Sciences; College of Administrative Sciences and Humanities (Accounting, Languages and Translation, Special Education, Law, Marketing, Human Resources Management)