The Shura Council directs the development of King Khalid University and alignment with the Asir strategy
The Shura Council held its thirteenth regular session of the second year of the ninth term on Monday, chaired by the Vice President of the Council, Dr. Meshaal bin Fahm Al-Sulami. The Council discussed a number of vital issues affecting the higher education sector and the Kingdom’s international relations, and issued key decisions aimed at raising the efficiency of academic institutions.
Strategic decisions for the development of King Khalid University
At the beginning of the session, the council issued an important resolution calling on King Khalid University to develop its academic advising and guidance system, in addition to formulating a comprehensive human resources strategy to ensure the university's objectives are achieved with high efficiency. This resolution was based on the report of the Education and Scientific Research Committee, presented by Dr. Nasser Tayran, which included members' observations on the university's annual report for 2024.
The council emphasized in its resolution the importance of coordination between the university and relevant entities to develop applied colleges within its branches. This directive aims to adopt a clear operational model that prevents overlapping jurisdictions and responsibilities with the technical colleges affiliated with the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation, thus ensuring complementary roles rather than competition and enhancing the quality of educational outcomes geared towards the labor market.
Alignment with the Asir region development strategy
In a related development context, the council requested King Khalid University to develop precise performance indicators that measure the alignment of its programs and outputs with the “Asir Region Development Strategy.” This step is of paramount importance given that the Asir strategy, launched by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, aims to transform the region into a global tourist destination and a leading development hub, thus necessitating a pivotal role for the university in providing the region with qualified personnel and scientific research that serves these developmental objectives.
International agreements to promote investment and quality
At the international level, the Shura Council approved a draft memorandum of understanding between the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) and the State Administration for Market Regulation of the People’s Republic of China for cooperation in the field of conformity assessment, reflecting the depth of the economic and trade partnership between the two countries. The Council also approved a memorandum of understanding with the government of the Republic of Honduras to encourage direct investment, a move that enhances the Kingdom’s economic openness and diversifies its international partnerships.
Discussion of reports from the Islamic University and Bisha University
The council also discussed the annual report of the Islamic University of Madinah, where members called for the need to find an institutional framework to measure the global impact of the university’s graduates, and to work on overcoming the challenges of global rankings that may not take into account the specificities of Sharia and linguistic disciplines, so that the university can be a leading global reference.
Regarding Bisha University, the discussions focused on the importance of taking advantage of the governorate’s comparative advantages. Members called for a study on establishing a college specializing in agricultural and environmental science technology, and supporting research related to artificial intelligence to explore mining sites in Asir, which would contribute to achieving economic and strategic returns for the region and the Kingdom in general.
