Politics · Saudi Arabia · 1 day ago
Academics urge Saudi universities to turn council findings into measurable plans
Saudi Arabia’s Shura Council has raised concerns about the performance of nine universities.
The issues include students struggling during overseas study, use of university resources, research and innovation, digital systems, partnerships and financial sustainability.
Academics say universities should turn the council’s observations into public plans with targets that can be measured and tracked.
They argue that research should be judged by how well it addresses practical needs, including problems faced by industry and government.
They also call for research, student support and university resources to be assessed as connected parts of institutional performance.
This matters because universities are expected to contribute to Saudi Arabia’s development goals and meet the needs of the economy and society.
The academics recommend tracking results, learning from successful approaches at other universities and adjusting plans based on evidence.
Saudi academics urged universities to turn observations by the Shura Council into public implementation programmes and measurable performance indicators.
The Council raised concerns about the performance of nine Saudi universities.
The observations covered issues including scholarship students, use of resources, research and innovation, digital transformation, partnerships and financial sustainability.
The academics said universities should track outcomes and link research to the needs of the economy and society.
Several called for approaches aligned with Saudi Vision 2030.
- Who
- The Shura Council raised the observations, and Saudi academics proposed ways for universities to address them.
- What
- Academics urged universities to convert the Council’s findings into implementation programmes and measurable indicators.
- When
- The article was published on October 10, 2026; the date of the Council’s observations is not stated.
- Where
- Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- The academics said measurable plans could help universities improve performance and show the impact of their work.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The current stage requires a radical shift towards a knowledge economy.
The observations on university performance derive their value from their ability to tighten university work and direct its resources towards national goals.
The required step is to turn the observations into opportunities for development and build sustainable institutional solutions that enhance universities’ efficiency and ability to make an impact.
The Shura Council raised observations about the performance of nine Saudi universities; the date is not stated.
Okaz published academics’ proposals for turning the observations into implementation programmes and measurable indicators.
- Universities discussed
- 9 Saudi universities
- Article publication
- October 10, 2026
- Council observations
- Scholarship students, resources and assets, research and innovation, assessment, digital transformation, partnerships and financial sustainability
- Proposed approach
- Public implementation programmes and measurable performance indicators
- Policy link
- Saudi Vision 2030
Sources
Related news
Riyadh Forum to Discuss Traffic, Local Knowledge and Smart Agriculture
Yemeni workers’ status to be addressed through Qiwa and Musaned
Riyadh to host seventh international disability and rehabilitation conference
Saudi transport authority records 94,321 violations in September
About 200 more Chinese teachers set to join Saudi schools
Saudi authority starts registry work for 26,858 property parcels in Makkah region
Saudi Citizen Account pays 3.1 billion riyals in October instalment
Statistics and education bodies launch third edition of knowledge program
Saudi Grievances Board Seeks Views on Proposed Court Procedure Changes
Saudi Red Crescent official receives 2026 GCC civil service medal
Saudi Arabia sets new rules for transporting livestock
