Shura Council decisions today: University development, international agreements, and agricultural matters
The Saudi Shura Council held its 23rd regular session of the second year of its ninth term on Monday, chaired by His Excellency the Speaker of the Council, Sheikh Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Sheikh. This session comes within the framework of the legislative and oversight role the Council plays in supporting the national development process and keeping pace with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 through modernizing regulations and strengthening international partnerships.
Developing the university education system and linking it to the labor market
At the beginning of the session, the Council discussed performance reports from several Saudi universities and issued key decisions aimed at improving the quality of educational outcomes. The Council urged Majmaah University to develop strategic partnerships with industry and business sectors, emphasizing the need to study and address the reasons for the low employment rates of its graduates in their fields of specialization. This directive aligns with the Human Capital Development Program, which focuses on matching educational outputs with the evolving needs of the labor market.
In a related matter, the Council directed Hafr Al-Batin University to align its initiatives with its strategic objectives and to develop its innovation and entrepreneurship systems. The Council also requested the university to establish a governance framework to regulate its relationship with development sectors in its geographical area, thereby enhancing the university's economic impact in the region.
Regarding Jeddah University , the Council's decision focused on its institutional identity related to logistics services, requiring it to develop specific performance indicators to measure the extent to which this identity is realized in its academic and research activities. This decision reflects the Council's commitment to supporting the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, which aims to solidify the Kingdom's position as a global logistics hub.
Strengthening international media and oversight cooperation
At the international level, the Council approved a draft memorandum of understanding between the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) and the Tajik National News Agency for Cooperation and Exchange, a step aimed at enhancing media and cultural exchange between the two countries. The Council also approved a memorandum of understanding between the Saudi Food and Drug Authority and the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment for cooperation in the field of food safety and risk assessment, reflecting the Kingdom's commitment to implementing the highest international standards in food safety and benefiting from Germany's long-standing expertise in this area.
Strategic partnership for food security
In a move supporting food security, the Shura Council approved a draft agreement between the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). This agreement aims to enhance sustainability and innovation in the Kingdom's agricultural sector. This approval is particularly significant given the climate challenges facing the region, as the international group's research will contribute to the development of modern agricultural technologies that support the Kingdom's green initiatives and improve the efficiency of sustainable agricultural production.
