Program and Plan Management

This procedural document clarifies the regulatory pathway for obtaining preliminary approval to develop the curriculum of an existing academic program. Such approval is required to be issued by the “Standing Committee for Academic Programs and Curricula” as an essential prerequisite before actually beginning to build the revised curriculum for the program.

The procedural steps and transaction path are determined according to the following sequence:

1. Preparing applications and academic recommendations:
   • Complete all required basic data in the “Program Development Form”.
   • Taking the recommendation of the concerned scientific department council regarding the development request, followed by taking the recommendation of the college council.
2. Review and quality assurance:
   • The dean of the college submits the “Program Development Form” to the Deanship of Development and Quality.
   • The Deanship of Development and Quality undertakes the review of the request, verifies the completeness and fulfillment of all form data, and adds its technical and professional recommendation regarding the development.
3. Submit to the university agency:
   • The Dean of the Deanship of Development and Quality shall submit the request to the Vice Presidency for Educational Affairs after its requirements are met and the deanship's recommendation has been added to it.
4. Study and Arbitration:
   • The University Agency refers the transaction to the “Department of Programs and Curricula.”.
   • The Programs and Plans Department is responsible for studying and evaluating the request, and maintaining ongoing communication with the college to address all comments and modifications, if any.
   • The transaction is referred - when necessary - to the University's “Needs Committee/Unit” to consult its opinion and verify the operational readiness and preparedness of the department to develop the program.
5. Presentation and final approval:
   • Following the completion of all comments and arbitration, the transaction is submitted to the “Standing Committee for Academic Programs and Curricula” for a decision and issuance of its recommendation.
   • Upon the issuance of the Standing Committee's recommendation for approval, the Department of Programs and Study Plans shall provide the relevant college with the committee's opinion and recommendation to return the request to it in order to officially commence the program development.