The law regarding universities in Saudi Arabia and England : a comparative study

Abstract

Law that regulates management of higher education institutions has been increasing in recent years in both Saudi Arabia and England. The Higher Education and Universities Act (HEUA) 1414 A. H. (1993 A. D. ) and the Regulation for Organising the Affairs of Teaching Staff (ROATS) 1418 A. H. (1997 A. D. ) in Saudi Arabia arose as major upheavals in the organisation of Higher Education and Universities. Similar developments have occurred in England in response to the Education Reform Act (1988) and the Further and Higher Education Act (1992). All these developments in both countries have deeply effected the legal position of the university as well as the affairs of the academic staff and other university members. This research seeks to show the laws that now apply to universities in both countries and to provide for all academic and administrative members of the university. In addition, the scope of this thesis is to compare the laws of universities and to show the advantages and disadvantages of such laws in relation to both legal and administrative affairs at these universities. Particular emphasis is placed on the organisation of the academic staff and on how the disciplinary procedures in both countries focus on natural justice.