12 universities await new presidents

Education Minister Ahmad Al-Essa

TABUK: At least 12 universities in the country are awaiting their new presidents because a new law outlining their functions has not been passed yet.
The Education Ministry has, however, identified new incumbents to take over, according to a local media report.
This is the first time that 12 universities are being run by acting presidents. Al-Qassim university sources said that the ministry was helping them run the institution until a new president is appointed, the report stated on Tuesday.
Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Saleh, secretary general of the temporary committee, concerned with the business of the Higher Education Council, said Education Minister Ahmad Al-Essa is in the process of appointing new university presidents. Al-Saleh said a new university law would be issued soon that would outline the functions of the presidents who have huge responsibilities, including hundreds of students and multi-million riyal budgets.
Abdullah Almoosa, who runs Saudi Electronic University, has been the longest serving acting president, having been appointed in 2012. Jazan University President Mohammad Rabiah was appointed in 2014.
Five acting presidents were appointed in 2015 including Abdelrahman Al-Youbi for King Abdulaziz and North Jeddah universities, Abdullah Al-Rubaish for Hafr Al-Batin University, Mahdi Alqarani for Bisha University, Abdullah Mohad Alzahrani for Al-Baha University and Abdullah Almiqran for Shaqraa University.
This year Ibrahim Alabaid was appointed as acting president for the Madinah Islamic University, Talal Almaleqi for Taif University, Abdelrahman Alwasel for Al-Qassim University and Mahrous Alghabban for Taiba University.
Abdullah Aljgyeman, vice chairman of the education and scientific research committee of the Shoura Council, said that the appointments were delayed because of the merger of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education.
The new law would be passed soon at the Shoura, he said.
Abeer Al-Abdali, former lecturer at King Fahd University for Petroleum and Minerals, said that the appointments must be speeded up to ensure quality education. He said the lack of legislation has caused the delay. In addition, acting presidents do not have the powers of presidents, he said.