JEDDAH, 28 February 2004 — The Higher Education Ministry is planning elections to select university rectors, heads of departments and college deans as well as leaders of students union, Al-Yaum Arabic daily reported yesterday quoting high-level sources.
“Studies are under way to hold elections in universities with the participation of students and teaching staff,” the sources said, adding that the first such elections would take place within two years. The move comes after the government’s decision to hold partial elections to municipal councils this year as part of its efforts to expand popular participation.
The new plan will first be trialed in three universities and if successful, will be expanded to other universities, the paper said. There are eight universities in the Kingdom — two in the capital, and one each in Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah, Dhahran, Dammam, and Abha.
The elections come in response to recommendations made by the second national dialogue forum held in Makkah last year, which called for speeding up political reforms, widening public participation through elections to the Shoura and regional councils, and encouraging the establishment of trade unions and voluntary organizations.
The municipal council elections will be held within six months, the paper said. There were unofficial reports last year suggesting plans to hold partial elections to the Shoura and regional councils within three years. The General Organization for Technical Education and Vocational Training plans to hold elections to student organizations in technical colleges next year.
