Committees of Optometry Department
Optometry Department · King Saud University
Department Committees
The Optometry Department at King Saud University operates through a structured system of standing committees for Academic Year 1447 AH. Each committee is entrusted with specific responsibilities that collectively advance the department's academic, research, clinical, and administrative mission.
13Active Standing Committees
1447Academic Year (Hijri)
٢Sections — Male & Female
∞Commitment to Academic Excellence
Academic Year 1447 AH
Standing Committees
1
Curriculum Development
Curriculum Committee Curriculum — "Curriculum & Course Development"
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Committee Responsibilities
Survey comparable curricula and programs from benchmark universities and colleges to serve as references for developing the department's academic programs.
Review the current program vision, mission, and objectives, and propose amendments in light of current program variables, then present them to the department council for approval or modification.
Identify the program's courses and service courses, and distribute them among committee members for description.
Review course descriptions, objectives, syllabi, references, and learning outcomes, and determine their alignment with the program's student learning outcomes.
Distribute courses (university requirements, college requirements, specialization, graduation project, field training, free electives) across academic levels.
Submit the academic program to the department council for deliberation and propose modifications where applicable.
Review council modifications and return the program to the committee, provided modifications do not conflict with the National Qualifications Framework.
Recommend peer reviewers or external bodies for program validation.
Discuss reviewer observations; if adopted by the department council, the program is returned for revision; if not adopted, the committee must provide justifications to the council.
Refer to the college's curriculum committee to ensure compliance with the National Qualifications Framework and university procedures.
Study observations from the college's curriculum committee and make revisions; provide justifications if recommendations are not adopted.
Present the program to the college council for discussion and recommendation for referral to the university's Standing Committee for Academic Plans and Systems.
2
Quality Assurance
Development & Quality Assurance Committee Development & Quality Assurance
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Committee Responsibilities
Promote a culture of quality within the department.
Implement and follow up on evaluation and academic accreditation activities in the department.
Propose learning objectives or outcomes for departmental programs, as well as methods, means, and assessment techniques to achieve and measure these outcomes.
Oversee the preparation and organization of course files.
Prepare departmental guides, handbooks, and informational brochures covering study plans and career opportunities.
Receive academic accreditation teams from outside the university and quality committees from within.
Supervise the self-evaluation process for the department's various programs and prepare self-study reports.
Collaborate with the college's development and quality unit to spread a culture of quality and organize awareness lectures, workshops, and Quality & Accreditation Week activities.
Document and report academic accreditation efforts and results to the department head.
Continuously collect data and information on academic accreditation requirements and quality activities and apply them in the department.
Prepare periodic reports on performance levels and stakeholder satisfaction in each activity.
Hold periodic meetings to discuss the implementation of academic program accreditation requirements.
Carry out any other tasks assigned to the committee related to academic accreditation and quality activities.
3
Faculty Affairs
Recruitments, Demonstrators & Lecturers Committee Recruitments, Demonstrators and Lecturers
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Committee Responsibilities
Study the department's needs for faculty members and similar positions and report to the department head.
Review appointments of new faculty members by studying applications, conducting interviews, and reporting to the department council with minutes and recommendations.
Review the appointment of demonstrators, lecturers, researchers, and research assistants, conduct appropriate employment tests, and submit recommendations to the department council.
Review scholarship applications from demonstrators and lecturers, verify the integrity of desired programs and their alignment with departmental scholarship policy, and confirm the validity of admission documents and other credentials.
Follow up on department scholarship holders domestically and internationally and prepare periodic reports on their academic status for the department council.
Study matters referred to the committee by the department head and department council.
4
Graduate Studies
Postgraduate Studies Committee Postgraduate Studies
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Committee Responsibilities
Review and develop postgraduate program plans in the department.
Conduct admission tests for postgraduate applicants and recommend candidates for acceptance to the department council.
Determine the mechanism for the comprehensive examination for postgraduate students.
Provide academic advising for postgraduate students.
Update admission criteria required by the department for postgraduate programs.
Study student requests regarding additional opportunities and re-enrollment, and refer them to the department council.
Study proposals for master's and doctoral theses and refer them to the department council.
Determine the mechanism for approving doctoral thesis research proposals and refer to the department council.
Propose the number of students that can be admitted in upcoming years.
Propose available research plans for postgraduate students and present them to the department council.
Propose available tracks for doctoral program admission annually.
Propose the distribution of courses among faculty members.
Recommend the appointment or replacement of academic supervisors (internal or external) for students.
Prepare booklets and forms for postgraduate students and faculty, and update them periodically.
Provide training courses and workshops specific to postgraduate programs.
Communicate with internal and external funding bodies for research.
Respond to all inquiries related to the postgraduate program.
Plan the establishment of additional programs and tracks for postgraduate stages in line with recent developments in the field and labor market requirements.
5
Outreach
Community Service & Continuing Education Committee Community Service and Continuing Education — "Community Partnership"
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Committee Responsibilities
Propose an annual plan for community service and continuing education and present it to the department council.
Activate partnerships between the department and various community institutions.
Communicate with community institutions inside and outside the university that are related to the department's services.
Encourage faculty members and equivalent staff to participate in community service activities.
Establish an information database for community service activities in the department.
Prepare the annual report on community service activities and submit it to the department council.
6
Data & Technology
Statistics & Information Technology Committee Statistics and Information Technology
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Committee Responsibilities
Analyze all five questionnaires of the National Commission for Academic Assessment and Accreditation in coordination with the Development & Quality Assurance Committee.
Calculate performance indicators related to national academic accreditation standards for departmental programs.
Compile and update data on activities of various academic programs (bachelor's, master's, doctoral), including enrolled and withdrawn student numbers, graduates, academic opportunities, advising sessions, student councils, lectures, exams, offered courses, and thesis defenses.
Compile the academic works of each faculty member and their activities over previous years, including books, research projects, publications, and conference attendance nationally and internationally.
Record the department's scientific activities, including seminars, conferences, lectures, training courses, scientific consultations, research services, and cultural, social, and awareness activities in community service.
Compile awards and patents received by faculty or students.
Analyze data on performance levels and stakeholder satisfaction in each activity, in coordination with the Development & Quality Assurance Committee.
7
Strategic Planning
Strategic Plan Committee Strategic Plan — "Operational Plan"
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Committee Responsibilities
Prepare a strategic plan for the department.
Follow up on strategic plan projects.
Produce an annual report on achievements accomplished under the plan.
Measure performance indicators related to the strategic plan.
Measure the annual percentage of goal achievement in the plan.
Study emerging variables and develop a risk management plan.
8
Research
Scientific Research Committee Scientific Research
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Committee Responsibilities
Prepare the department's annual research plan and follow up on its implementation.
Encourage faculty members and researchers to conduct innovative research and publish it at local, regional, and international conferences.
Encourage collaborative research between departments, colleges, and external entities.
Communicate with research funding bodies and inform faculty to facilitate research collaboration.
Form research groups within the department across different specializations.
Establish an information database for researchers and research activities in the department.
Prepare and organize seminars and scientific meetings in coordination with the Community Service & Continuing Education Committee.
Conduct workshops on scientific research, publication methods, and documentation.
Explore the possibility of establishing a specialized periodic journal in coordination with scientific societies and other entities.
Prepare the annual report on research activity and submit it to the department council.
9
Student Affairs
Academic Advising Committee Academic Advising
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Committee Responsibilities
Prepare an academic advising program plan and update it annually.
Guide and direct students in the department regarding courses and necessary skills.
Follow up on ODUS system requests during the first weeks designated for registration each semester.
Raise student awareness of support services and activities offered by the college.
Receive student complaints and suggestions, respond to them, and find appropriate solutions.
Equate courses for students in coordination with the Curriculum Committee.
Provide psychological and social support for students in cooperation with the college's academic advising unit.
Hold meetings with academically struggling students to examine causes of difficulty and provide academic and psychological guidance.
Prepare remedial programs to help students and avoid academic failure.
Coordinate with faculty to identify talented and creative students and develop their skills.
Prepare an orientation week program for new bachelor's students.
Prepare student advisory councils in coordination with the department head/deputy each semester.
Participate in the orientation week for high school students regarding university majors.
Follow up on course schedule distribution, registration, adding, and dropping of courses for department students.
Prepare a periodic report on academic advising activities, cases assisted, and distribution of students among academic advisors.
10
Academic Scheduling
Timetables & Examinations Committee Timetables and Examination
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Committee Responsibilities
Prepare academic timetables for bachelor's and master's program students in the department.
Prepare teaching load schedules for faculty members, lecturers, demonstrators, and office hours.
Distribute offered courses to college halls and optimally use the halls designated for the department.
Ensure an appropriate student-to-hall capacity ratio for registered course sections.
Verify that classroom basic requirements (Show Data) are available.
Follow up on timetable distribution to students and handle course registration, addition, and dropping for department students.
Submit the teaching load to the college's deputy for academic affairs each semester.
Coordinate with other college departments regarding courses offered in the bachelor's and master's programs.
Prepare final examination schedules for the department.
Distribute halls and invigilators for the final examination schedule.
Follow up on the progress of final examinations in the department.
Periodically update the timetable and final examination committee file to meet department needs.
11
Administration
Purchasing & Warehouse Committee Purchasing and Warehouse
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Committee Responsibilities
Compile requirements for practical courses (solutions, devices, equipment) and report to the department head/deputy.
Submit direct purchase requests for department needs and other supplies to the department head/deputy.
Process proposals submitted by companies in coordination with faculty and refer them to the college's purchasing committee.
Receive departmental orders and notify faculty, ensuring documentation of the receipt process.
Compile the contents of department warehouses and report on needs.
Continuously liaise with the university's central warehouse to meet faculty needs.
12
Infrastructure & Safety
Laboratories & Workplace Safety Committee Laboratories and Workplace Safety — "Infrastructure & Learning Resources"
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Committee Responsibilities
Maintain the application of regulations, procedures, safety and environmental levels, and infection control standards specific to laboratories.
Compile materials, devices, and equipment in various labs and their material needs; organize their correct placement and periodic maintenance.
Ensure the availability of maintenance plans for labs, devices, and student services.
Provide guidance signs and safety and security tools in laboratories.
Prepare lab-specific forms (incident reports, device and refrigerator monitoring forms, waste disposal forms).
Supervise and update lab devices in student laboratories, provide necessary maintenance, and ensure cleanliness.
Provide teaching and learning means in laboratories.
Prepare booklets covering policies, regulations, and rules ensuring lab safety.
Organize periodic lab safety training courses for faculty and students on how to handle expected lab errors.
Follow up on the preservation and disposal of chemical and biological lab waste.
Raise awareness and distribute student guidance publications on safety and security procedures for various hazards (chemical, biological) at the start of the academic year.
Post safety and security procedure signs in designated areas of each lab along with emergency contact numbers.
Inventory lab devices and contents at the end of each semester and monitor lab stock of consumable and non-consumable tools, equipment, and supplies.
Supervise the cleanliness and orderliness of labs and monitor usage of lab materials, devices, and forms.
Secure consumables, chemicals, glassware, and specialized tools.
Report lab shortcomings and needs to the department head/deputy and follow up on their provision.
Liaise with relevant parties regarding the maintenance and operation of scientific devices.
Propose development plans for department laboratories.
Periodically follow up on the lab work plan weekly and submit reports to the lab supervisor.
Submit a semester report to the department head/deputy on the lab committee's work, including proposals to improve committee operations.
13
Clinical Affairs
Clinical Training, Internship & Graduate Affairs Committee Clinical Training, Internship and Graduate Affairs — "Training & Field Studies"
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Committee Responsibilities
Distribute internship students to training sites.
Communicate with training centers and conduct correspondence in sufficient time.
Supervise training during the internship period.
Maintain a graduate database including names, phone numbers, and email addresses.
Distribute graduation forms to expected graduates and ensure they submit all required documents.
Circulate internship procedures and required forms to expected graduates at the start of each semester.
Coordinate with training sites regarding personal interviews and admission examinations where applicable.
Approve evaluations sent from training sites to allow students to receive their internship certificates.
Prepare periodic reports on struggling internship students and submit to the department head/deputy.
Hold joint training programs between the department and research centers during summer periods.
Departmental Governance
These 13 standing committees collectively form the governance backbone of the Optometry Department at King Saud University. Each committee operates with a designated chairperson, members from both male and female sections, and a secretary, ensuring structured oversight and accountability for Academic Year 1447 AH.
Academic Year 1447 AH committee composition
Committees operate across male and female sections with joint shared committees
Each committee reports to the Department Council
Approved and issued: 11/12/2025 — Reference No. 08
