Academic Staff Rules

Article 1:

The definitions means the changes in this policy and meanings explained as follows:

Appointment as a faculty member: to determine the University’s need for faculty members based on the recommendation of the academic departments. Faculty Member: a holder of the following academic qualifications: lecturer, assistant professor, associate professor, and professor. Those in a similar role as faculty members: members attached to the faculty members in terms of this policy among lecturers, tutors, language teachers, and research assistants. Promotion: awarding the faculty member a higher academic grade. Faculty Member’s Teaching Workload: the amount of teaching responsibilities that the faculty member and those in a similar role are required to perform. Salary and Bonuses: The remuneration of each employee including salary and financial allocations for work, secondment, full-time work, and others. Leave: the leave given to faculty members regardless of whether it is paid or unpaid leave. Delegation and secondment: to delegate a faculty member for academic missions outside of the University. Transference: to transfer a faculty member and those who are in a similar role within the scope of his specialization from one department to another, or from his faculty to another faculty. Disciplinary Action: to discipline a faculty member and those who are in a similar role with disciplinary actions if it is believed that he breached his duties. Service Termination: to terminate the employment of the faculty member for a reason in accordance with that which is stated in this policy.

Article 2:

The University determines its need for faculty members based on the recommendations of the academic departments, faculty councils, and in accordance with that which is approved by the Senate based on the policies and principles adopted by the University’s management to achieve the University’s teaching and academic research objectives.

Article 3:

Faculty members are those who hold the following academic grades:

Professor. Associate professor. Assistant professor. Lecturer.

Article 4:

The members that are considered similar to the faculty members in regards to this policy are:

Tutors. Language teachers. Research assistants.

Article 5:

It is expected that the faculty member will be characterized by the following characteristics:

Faithfulness and good conduct, and adheres to the regulations, instructions and rules of conduct, not breaching the job charter, maintain his appearance, and reside in a place that suits his/her position. Follow the latest developments in his/her specialization and contribute to the advancement of his/her specialization through academic activity. To convey the latest development in his specialization to his students and instill in them the love of knowledge and sound scientific thinking. To participate actively in the works of the department’s council and other committees and councils in which he is a member on the level of the department, the faculty, and the university and to participate in the out of class activities. To dedicate his time for his work at the University.

Article 6:

Appointment of Faculty Members Each person appointed to be a faculty member at Al-Madinah International University requires the following:

To have a good reputation and be healthy enough to perform his university tasks successfully. His academic qualifications must be from recognized universities or academic bodies. When nominating new faculty members and when differentiating between them, scientific productivity, scientific and academic experience, teaching abilities, contribution to developing the academic department, and participation in the University’s various activities should be taken into consideration for each of them. He must possess at least a master’s degree. It is preferred that he has a minimum of one year teaching experience. It is preferred that he have published research or research that has been accepted for publication in scientific journals, specifically international journals.

Article 7:

The date of rewarding the certificate or the qualification is the date of issuance of the final decision from the specialized organization to award the certificate or the degree.

Article 8:

When reviewing the application for appointment as a faculty member, the faculty members who are in the same grade equivalent to the required grade will participate in the voting on the decision of appointment.

Article 9:

The head of the department reports the opinion of the department’s council about the appointment to the Dean of the faculty within not more than one month from the date of receiving the application. If the Dean did not receive a written recommendation from the department within the stipulated period, he may submit the matter directly to the council of the faculty or the institute.

Article 10:

The appointment of the faculty member must start from the date determined in the appointment letter, and he/she has to start his/her functions starting from that date.

Article 11:

The Rector may agree to postpone the commencement of the faculty member, if necessary, however it must not be more than two semesters. The Dean is responsible for informing the HR manager about the starting date of the faculty member. If the faculty member does not start his function within two weeks from the stipulated date, the appointment will be terminated, unless he provides excuses accepted by the Rector.

Article 12:

For the appointment of the tutor and language teacher, they are required to have the following qualifications:

He must have an academic certificate from a recognized university. His total average for the university study must be “good” at least. He must meet the other conditions stipulated by the Senate.

Article 13:

For the appointment of the lecturer, he must have the following qualifications:

He must obtain at least a master’s degree or equivalent from a recognized university. His total average for the master’s must be “good” at least (if he/she received it from a university that provides this grading). He must meet the other conditions stipulated by the Senate.

Article 14:

For the appointment of a research assistant, he/she must have the following qualifications: For those who are appointed with a master’s degree (titled: Research Assistant class A):

He must obtain at least a master’s degree or equivalent from a recognized university with a total average not less than “very good” if he received it from a university that provides this type of grading. He must meet the other conditions stipulated by the Senate. For those appointed with a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, they are called research assistant class B. He must obtain a university degree from a recognized university with at least a total average of “good”. Any other conditions from the Senate.

Article 15:

The tutor, lecturer, and the language teachers are appointed based on the recommendation of the department’s council and the recommendation of the council of the faculty, the institute, or centre and the agreement of the Rector.

Article 16:

For the appointment as assistant professor, he must obtain a PhD or equivalent from a recognized university, the Senate may add additional conditions.

Article 17:

The Senate may appoint an assistant professor without the PhD condition, if necessary, based on a recommendation from the department’s council and the faculty council. This is applicable for the specializations that do not award a PhD degree according to the following rules:

The candidate must obtain a master’s degree or equivalent from a recognized university. He must have at least three years of work experience as a lecturer. He must have at least three published researches after achieving a master’s degree, and he must be the main researcher for at least one.

Article 18:

For the appointment as associate professor, he must obtain the following qualifications:

He must obtain a PhD degree from a recognized university. Teaching experience for at least 4 years after being appointed as an assistant professor as a faculty member in the university or other recognized universities. He must be promoted academically to the level of associate professor.

Article 19:

For the appointment as a professor, he must obtain the following qualifications:

He must obtain a PhD degree from a recognized university. Teaching experience for at least 8 years, with at least 4 of them as an associate professor, as a faculty member in the university or other recognized universities. He must be promoted academically to the level of professor.

Article 20:

The faculty members are appointed based upon the nomination of the council of the department they shall work in and the recommendation of the council of the faculty, institute, or centre and the agreement of the Rector.

Article 21:

The faculty members in the university who have teaching experience will be categorized for salary according to the following rules:

The experience must be after he obtained the qualification required for appointment. The experience must be in the same specialization at a recognized university, government bodies, and international organizations. For the purpose of salary, the experience will be calculated as follow: The experience as a faculty member in universities is on a year-by-year basis. The non-teaching experience, if it is homogeneous with the specialization is on year-by-half year basis.

Article 22:

The faculty member is appointed in contract for the first time for a maximum period of two years, it may the exception in the case of professor and associate professor based on a suggestion from the Dean of the faculty and a recommendation from the Deputy Rector which the position falls under his jurisdiction, and the agreement of the Rector to increase the period for not more than 4 years.

Article 23:

First: The process of reviewing the contracts is based on the annual evaluation of the faculty members according to the university’s approved evaluation system. The department’s committee for appointments and contract renewal, the faculty’s committee for appointments and promotions have to evaluate the achievements and personal abilities of each faculty member in the framework of his functions and provide the required encouragement and guidance to increase the performance and provide the stability and increase the constructive and innovative productivity.

Second: The department’s committee for appointments and contract renewals is responsible for reviewing the academic record of the faculty member and his/her annual evaluation.

Article 24:

The faculty member with a degree of assistant professor or associate professor may apply for a promotion 6 months prior to the date of completing the legal period required for the higher degree if he/she meets the other legal conditions required for this degree.
The date of promotion to a higher degree is the date on which the legal period ends.
In all cases, the Senate decides on promotion within a period not more than 6 months from the recommendation date by the promotions committee.
The promotion criteria in the university will be based on the following:
Research and publication 37.5%
Teaching and supervision 37.5%
Academic excellence and leadership 10%
Serving the university and society 15%

Article 25:

The teaching workload for faculty members and those in a similar role is as follows:

Academic Degree Direct Teaching / Maximum Indirect Teaching / Maximum
Professor 15 hours 300 students
Associate Professor 15 hours 300 students
Assistant Professor 15 hours 300 students
Lecturer 15 hours 300 students
Tutor 16 hours 300 students
Language Teacher 18 hours 300 students

The teaching workload for faculty members can be increased in cases where the number of students cannot cover the operational cost.

Article 26:

The faculty members and those in a similar role perform 40 hours of work per week in teaching, research, guidance, office hours, academic committees, and other works assigned by the specialized parties in the University.

Article 27:

The teaching responsibilities will be decreased for those who are responsible for administrative works such as Deans and their deputies and the managers of academic centres. The teaching workload must not be more than 50% of the load mentioned above.
Regarding heads of academic departments, the teaching workload is decreased and shall not exceed more than two-thirds of the load mentioned above.

Article 28:

If the teaching hours or the number of students for faculty members and those who are in a similar role increases to more than the approved load, they may get an allowance for the additional teaching with a decision from the faculty’s council.

Article 29:

The faculty member may attend conferences and seminars according to the following rules:

There must be a relationship between the topic of the conference or the seminar and the specialization of the faculty member or his/her actual functions.
The participation in the conference or the seminar must be according to a recommendation of the council of the faculty and the department and the agreement of the Rector.
The participant in the conference or the seminar must provide the University with a report about his participation.
The faculty member may obtain an airline ticket and delegation replacement for the participation in the conference or the seminar. It may be limited for the airline tickets only or the permission to attend without any financial commitment.

Article 30:

It is allowed to use the services of the faculty member as a part-time consultant in the government side or private sector or regional or international organizations according to the following:

He/she must be a consultant in his area of specialization. The request should be submitted from the specialized ministry for government organizations or from the head of the organization for the private sector and regional or international organizations to the Rector. The agreement on the consultation and renewal will be by a letter from the Rector based on the recommendation of the faculty and department councils. The consultant must submit a report to the Rector about the works done during the consultation once the consultation period is completed. The work of the faculty member as a part-time consultant must not affect his basic functions, especially in the following aspects: The teaching workload of the faculty member. His presence in his office during office hours. Participation in the committees and councils that the University sees a need for him to be a part of. Attending conferences, symposiums, and seminars.

Article 31:

First: It is allowed to delegate a faculty member or those in a similar role to work for other organizations by a decision from the Rector based on a recommendation from the councils of the faculty and the department. The University pays his salary and monthly transportation allowance, unless otherwise agreed.

Second: It is allowed to send a faculty member or those in a similar role for secondment by a decision from the Rector based on a recommendation from the councils of the faculty and the department. The Rector may cancel the secondment decision before the completion of the period.

Article 32:

It is allowed, by a decision from the Rector based on a recommendation from the councils of the faculty and the department, to delegate a faculty member for a mission out of the headquarters of the University for a period not exceeding 4 months. If necessary, it is allowed to extend the period to one year and the delegate is treated as someone on secondment if the period does not exceed one month, if the period exceeds one month he/she is treated as an employee sent for training.

Article 33:

It is allowed, by a decision from the Rector based on a recommendation from the councils of the faculty and the department and the Senate, for the faculty member to travel to conduct research in another university during the holiday according to the following rules:

He must apply for travel with supporting documents. He must submit a report after he returns to the department’s council regarding the achievements to be reported to the Senate. He/she may be given an airline ticket or permission to attend without financial commitment.

Article 34:

It is allowed to transfer the faculty member and those in a similar role in the range of his specialization from one department to another within the same faculty by a decision from the Rector based on a recommendation from the council of the faculty and the councils of the respective departments.

Article 35:

It is allowed to transfer the faculty member and those in a similar role in the range of his specialization from one faculty to another within the University by a decision from the Rector based on a recommendation from the councils of the original department and the faculty and the councils of the department and faculty that he/she will be transferred to.

Article 36:

The disciplinary committee for faculty members and those in a similar role shall be formed with a decision from the Rector and will be as follows:

One Deputy Rector as a chairman.
A Dean other than the one that investigated the member.
Faculty member with a grade not less than professor as a member.
One of the specialists in shariah or regulations as a member.

Article 37:

Taking into account the provision of staff discipline, a Dean, appointed by the Rector, is responsible to investigate the faculty member directly if he/she falls short in his/her duties. The Dean reports to the Rector about the results of the investigation, and the Rector assigns the investigated member to disciplinary committee if necessary.

Article 38:

The Rector may suspend the work of any faculty member and those in a similar role if it is necessary. The suspension period must not be more than 3 months, unless there is a decision by the disciplinary committee.

The suspension period may be extended, based on the circumstances; however, it must not be more than one year each time.

Article 39:

The suspended staff gets 50% of his/her net salary. If he was innocent or punished by other than termination, he gets the rest of his salary. If he is punished by termination, he will not need to pay back what he received unless the disciplinary body decides otherwise.

Article 40:

The Rector notifies the faculty member and those in a similar role who is assigned to the disciplinary committee with the accusations and a copy of the investigation report in a letter at least 15 days earlier to the trial date.

Article 41:

The faculty member, and those in a similar role, who is assigned to a disciplinary committee may see the investigations carried out in the days chosen by the Rector.

Article 42:

The disciplinary committee reviews the assigned case as follows:

The chairman of the committee chooses a secretary for the committee.
The committee holds a meeting by invitation from the chairman.
The committee holds meetings in the presence of the investigated member or his representative; if he or his representative did not attend the meeting the committee may review the case and complete the investigation steps confidentially. The committee may listen to witnesses if it is necessary.
The disciplinary committee decides by the majority of votes, its meetings will not be valid unless two thirds of the committee members attend the meeting. The committee reports to the Rector attached with the case file within not more than two months form the assigning date. If the Rector does not approve the committees decision, the decision will be returned to the committee, if the committee insists on its decision the matter will be raised to the Senate which gives the final decision.
The Rector notifies the faculty member, and those with a similar role, with the committees decision once it is issued in written form.
The faculty member, and those with a similar role, may contest the decision by a letter reported to the Rector within 30 days from the date of being notified of the committees decision, unless the decision is final. If the contesting is done before the due date, the Rector returns the case to the disciplinary committee for reviewing once again, if the committee insists on its decision the matter will be raised to the Senate which gives the final decision.

Article 43:

The disciplinary actions to be taken for the faculty members and those in a similar role are:

Warning.
Blaming.
Salary deduction for not more than the salary of three months and the monthly deduction not more than third of the salary.
Prevention from one increment.
Postpone promotion for 1 year.
Termination.

Article 44:

No impact of the disciplinary proceedings in other judicial proceedings arising from the same incident.

Article 45:

First:

The Rector may warn the faculty member and those in a similar role who breach their duties by written or oral form, and the Rector may sign the punishments of warning and blaming of faculty members after they are investigated and after listening to them, the Rectors decision in this case is final.

Second:

The Deans must notify the Rector based on what they get from the heads of departments or from their stewardship of faculty members and those in a similar role if they breach the required duties.

Article 46:

The service of faculty members is terminated based on any of the following reasons:

Retirement.
Apply for retirement before reaching the approved age according the retirement system.
Job termination.
Health disability.
Absence without apology or refusal to implement the transference decision.
Termination for disciplinary reasons.
Termination for security reasons from the country where he worked.

Article 47:

The faculty member and those in a similar role referred to retire by a decision from Rector if he reached the age of 70 years. The Rector may extend the employment of the 70-years staff during the academic year until the end of the year based on a recommendation from the manager. It may extend the employment of 70-year staff for one period or periods until he reaches 75 years.

Article 48:

If the faculty member or those in a similar role failed to do their duties due to illness, the Rector reports this matter to the Senate to terminate the employment of the staff.

Article 49:

The Rector, based on a recommendation from the councils of the respected department and faculty, may review accepting the resignation of the faculty member and those in a similar role or to refer them for early retirement base on their application.

Article 50:

The University may use part-time faculty members, and they may be assigned to any administrative tasks.

Article 51:

The use of part-time faculty members will not be for more than two years subject to renewal by a decision from the Rector based on the approval of the Senate and a recommendation from the councils of the respective department and faculty.

Article 52:

The part-time faculty members have to adhere to the duties of the faculty members stipulated in this policy.

Article 53:

If the part-time faculty member breaches any of his/her work duties, the disciplinary actions applied for faculty members will be applied as stipulated in this policy and the employment contract.

Article 54:

The part-time faculty members get remuneration for each teaching unit approved in the study plans of the University.