JEDDAH: Saudi universities will now have powers to decide on the type and number of courses offered, and introduce new assessment criteria, aimed at improving their competitiveness and preparing graduates for the labor market. These changes are part of new regulations issued recently by the Council of University Affairs, under the auspices of Minister of Education Dr. Hamad Al-Sheikh. They will come into effect in the 2022/2023 academic year. Universities will now be given the authority to decide on specializations and integration of courses and programs. HIGH LIGHTS • These changes are part of new regulations issued recently by the Council of University Affairs, under the auspices of Minister of Education Dr. Hamad Al- Sheikh. • They will come into effect in the 2022/2023 academic year. Universities will now be given the authority to decide on specializations and integration of courses and programs. The regulations would also ensure universities can offer diploma courses for students in the subjects they choose, if they do not qualify for degree courses. Students enrolled at non-Saudi universities will be able to simultaneously register for courses with domestic tertiary institutions, on the condition that joint programs are set up. Under the new regulations, universities may also now decide on starting and end dates for courses. Saudi tertiary institutions would also be allowed to introduce assessments based on those followed by the world’s top universities. The Education and Training Evaluation Commission, government agencies and academics provided input on the new rules.