The University recognizes the importance of democratic processes and ensuring representation from various stakeholders within its governance structure. To promote transparency and inclusivity, the University has established elected representation on its governing body, as well as on other key decision-making bodies, these bodies are:

1.  Board of Directors.

2.  Board of Trustees.

3.  University Council.

4.  College Council.

5.  Department Council.

6.      Quality Assurance and Accreditation Council.

The Board of Directors

The Board of Directors holds the highest authority within the University, comprising a minimum of five members representing the University's shareholders. This esteemed body assumes several crucial responsibilities, ensuring effective governance and strategic decision-making. The key responsibilities of the Board include:

• Investment and Main Financial Decisions: The Board plays a pivotal role in making important investment decisions and overseeing major financial matters related to the University. This involves evaluating investment opportunities, assessing financial risks, and making informed choices to safeguard the University's financial stability.

• Approval of the Annual Budget: The Board reviews and approves the annual budget proposed by the President, taking into account the University's strategic objectives and operational needs. This collaborative process ensures financial resources are allocated efficiently and align with the University's mission.

• Approval of Financial Regulations: The Board holds the authority to approve regulations pertaining to financial aspects, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory frameworks. These regulations may encompass areas such as financial reporting, procurement, and fiscal policies, providing a framework for financial transparency and accountability.

• Approval of Annual Financial Report: The Board reviews and approves the University's annual financial report, which provides a comprehensive overview of the University's financial performance, assets, and liabilities. This process ensures accurate and transparent reporting to stakeholders, including shareholders, faculty, staff, and students.

• Approval of Financial Aspects in Development Projects: The Board exercises oversight over financial aspects related to the University's development projects. This includes evaluating project proposals, assessing financial feasibility, and approving budgets to support the successful implementation of strategic initiatives and infrastructure enhancements.

• Identification and Approval of Board Privileges: The Board is responsible for identifying and approving privileges granted to the members of the Board of Trustees. This may include compensation, benefits, or other entitlements that align with the University's governance policies and best practices.

By diligently fulfilling these responsibilities, the Board of Directors contributes to the effective financial management, sustainability, and overall success of the University. Their decisions and oversight play a crucial role in shaping the University's future and ensuring its continued growth and development.

The Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees plays a crucial role in fostering an environment that promotes teaching and learning, scientific research, innovation, and community engagement within the University. The Board assumes several responsibilities, tasks, and duties, including:

• Safeguarding the University's Reputation and Values: The Board ensures the preservation of the University's reputation and upholds its core values in all decision-making processes.

• Supervising University Activities and Defining its Mission and Future Directions: The Board oversees the University's activities, defines its mission, and provides strategic contributions regarding policies and matters that impact the University's advancement.

• Approving and Reviewing Strategic and Operational Plans: The Board approves and reviews the University's strategic and operational plans, including those related to the development, merger, or closure of colleges, directorates, departments, academic programs, centers, offices, and units.

• Approving Budgets and Financial Statements: The Board approves the University's budget and financial statements and submits recommendations to the Board of Directors. This ensures financial transparency and accountability.

• Monitoring and Assessing University Performance: The Board ensures the development of policies and procedures to monitor and assess the University's performance based on approved plans and performance indicators, comparing them with data from similar institutions.

• Appointing New Board Members: The Board appoints new members to the Board of Trustees, considering their qualifications and expertise.

• Developing Procedures for Assessing Board Achievements: The Board establishes procedures to monitor and assess its own achievements and effectiveness.

• Appointing the President and Defining Responsibilities: The Board appoints the President and establishes arrangements for the implementation of their tasks. The Chairman of the Board identifies the benefits and prerogatives received.

• Granting Authority to the President: The Board authorizes the President to manage academic and financial matters, employee-related matters, policies, procedures, and decisions within administrative tasks. This includes the exemption of employees from their duties and responsibilities.

• Approving Appointments of Vice Presidents and Deans: The Board approves the appointment of Vice Presidents, Deans, and their subordinates within the University.

• Supervising Campus Infrastructure Development: The Board supervises the development of the University's campus infrastructure and reviews relevant major bids and proposals related to colleges, departments, or academic issues, ensuring compliance with applicable bylaws.

• Establishing Control and Accountability Systems: The Board ensures the establishment and monitoring of control and accountability systems, including financial and operational systems, risk assessment procedures, grievance handling, conflict of interest management, and compliance with legal obligations.

• Serving as a Legal Authority: The Board acts as a legal authority for the University, developing systems to meet legal obligations resulting from contracts, financial obligations, and other legal matters associated with the University.

• Ensuring Convenience for Students and Staff: The Board coordinates with the University Council to make provisions convenient for students and staff, aligning with their needs and concerns.

• Serving as Trustees for Properties, Gifts, and Endowments: The Board acts as trustees for any properties, gifts, or endowments provided to support the activities and prosperity of the University.

• Ensuring Compliance with Laws and Regulations: The Board ensures the University's compliance with all legislation and laws pertaining to its activities within the Kingdom of Bahrain, particularly the bylaws issued by the Higher Education Council. It establishes guidelines for the application of such bylaws.

• Approving University Bylaws, Policies, and Regulations: The Board approves the University bylaws, policies, regulations, and any proposed changes presented by the University Council.

To fulfill its duties effectively, the Board of Trustees adheres to best practice directives in the governance of higher education institutions. The Board of Trustees consists of a minimum of seven members and a maximum of fifteen members per cycle. Specific conditions are considered when selecting members, including having at least one member with financial expertise and ensuring that academics comprise at least 50% of the Board. Membership duration is four years and may be renewed. The Chairman of the Board of Trustees is a member of the Board of Directors. The University President is a permanent member of the Board of Trustees but does not participate in sessions and discussions directly related to the Board's responsibilities concerning the appointment or performance monitoring of the President unless specifically invited. The Board of Trustees selects its members through a nomination process led by the Chairman, ensuring no conflicts of interest and that candidates meet the required conditions for Board membership. New members are provided with an orientation on their duties before attending official Board meetings. The Board periodically reviews its performance and takes necessary steps to support its effectiveness. Additionally, the Board of Trustees selects a Vice Chairman from its members who is not an owner or shareholder of the University.

University Council

The University Council possesses both the authority and the responsibility to provide recommendations regarding changes in university policies based on relevant circumstances. Its main responsibilities include:

• Addressing matters related to the quality of teaching, learning, research, and community service, including:

-        Establishing admissions requirements for students.

-        Discussing and approving the number of students to be admitted to various programs and determining the fees for each program.

-        Developing policies and procedures for assessing students' achievements and conducting relevant examinations.

-        Reviewing and approving curriculum content.

-        Setting academic standards and reviewing courses.

-        Granting academic qualifications.

-        Awarding honorary titles.

-        Addressing the dismissal of students for academic reasons.

• Making decisions concerning academic promotions and other human resources issues.

• Approving the participation of academic staff, lecturers, technicians, and researchers in scientific assignments and training programs.

• Reviewing and discussing relevant matters before making decisions on academic programs proposed by appropriate college committees.

• Providing recommendations to the Board of Trustees regarding the development, integration, or cancellation of colleges, departments, academic programs, centers, offices, and units.

• Evaluating the progress of academic and educational achievements within the University.

• Discussing and consolidating study plans and research activities at the University.

• Considering academic and other issues as proposed by the University President.

• Developing and consolidating strategic plans, including teaching, learning, scientific research, community service, and training strategies.

• Reviewing the university bylaws, policies, and regulations, and providing recommendations for approval to the Board of Trustees.

The following members for a one-year term make up the university council:

• President (Chairman of the Council).

• Vice Presidents.

• Deans (academic and non-academic).

• An academic staff representative elected by the academic staff members. The representative can serve for a maximum of two academic years.

• President of the Student Council.

• An external member appointed by the President of the University for a renewable two-year period, as needed.

• President's Advisors (if any).

• Secretary General of University Councils.

The following rules apply to University Council meetings:

• The external member, the President of the Student Council, the President's Advisors, and the Secretary General of University Councils do not have voting rights.

• The Chair has the authority to invite additional individuals to attend Council meetings for informational purposes only.

• The Council convenes when the majority of its members, including the Chairman or their representative, are present. Decisions are made by majority vote, with the Chairman having the casting vote in case of a tie.

• Council meetings are scheduled at agreed-upon times during the first meeting. These meetings should occur at least once every two months, and the meeting minutes are submitted to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
  College Council

Each College establishes a council known as the College Council, which is chaired by the College Dean. The Dean is responsible for overseeing the management of the College in regard to academic affairs, scientific research, administration, finance, quality assurance, community service, and the implementation of relevant plans. The College Council's duties include:

• Reviewing academic curricula and presenting them to the University Council.

• Examining any additional requirements related to student admissions into academic Departments within the College and presenting them to the University Council.

• Organizing end-of-semester examinations.

• Facilitating and encouraging scientific research and community service among the Academic Staff and students.

• Approving students' exam results and submitting recommendations to the University Council for certificate issuance.

• Approving thesis discussion committees for postgraduate students and setting their schedules.

• Providing recommendations regarding the promotion of academic staff and other human resources matters.

• Collaborating with academic departments and relevant parties in the university to prepare the College's annual budget.

• Supervising academic programs and fostering coordination among various departments.

• Developing and implementing the College's strategic plan.

• Establishing committees related to the College's activities.

Membership of the Council is as follows for a one-year term:

• College Dean (Chairman).

• Assistants/Deputies of the Dean (Council Secretary).

• Heads of academic Departments.

• Heads of Units within the College.

• An academic representative elected by the College's Academic Staff.

• A student representative appointed by the College Dean.

The Chairman of the Council has the authority to invite additional individuals to attend meetings as needed. The Council convenes when most of its members, including the Chairman, are present. Decisions are made by a majority vote, with the Chairman having the casting vote in the event of a tie.  Meetings of the College Council are scheduled at agreed-upon times during the first meeting. The Council must convene at least once every two months or whenever necessary. Recommendations from the College Council are forwarded by the College Dean to the University President for presentation to the University Council. The minutes of College Council meetings are submitted to the University President.

Department Council

Each Department establishes an academic council known as the Department Council, which is chaired by the Head of Department. The Head of Department is responsible for managing the Department in relation to academic affairs, scientific research, administration, finance, quality assurance and accreditation, community service, and the implementation of relevant plans. The Department Council's responsibilities include:

• Submitting proposals regarding specializations and new academic programs within the Department.

• Discussing exam results, including those of graduating students, and forwarding them to the College Council.

• Developing and implementing an academic plan that encompasses curricula, objectives, teaching and learning methods, assessment and feedback mechanisms, academic guidance, and student advising.

• Formulating policies and procedures related to student internships.

• Overseeing exams conducted within the Department.

• Providing recommendations on the promotion of academic staff and other relevant human resources matters.

• Establishing committees within the Department.

• Proposing the implementation of the University's academic plan.

• Adhering to quality assurance requirements concerning academic standards.

Membership of the Council is as follows for a one-year term:

• Head of Department (Chairman).

• Academic staff.

• One student representative, elected by students, without voting rights.

• The Head of Department may invite additional individuals to attend meetings as necessary. The Department Council meets at specified times, as agreed upon during the first meeting when the Council Secretary is appointed. The Council must convene at least once every two months or as needed.

The Department Council meets when the majority of its members, including the Head of Department, are present. Decisions and recommendations are made by a majority vote, with the Head of Department having the casting vote in case of a tie. Recommendations from the Department Council are forwarded to the College Dean for presentation to the College Council. Minutes of Department Council meetings are submitted by the Head of Department, via the College Dean, to the University President.

Quality Assurance and Accreditation Council

The Quality Assurance and Accreditation Council is responsible for submitting recommendations regarding policy changes based on circumstances. In the execution of its duties, the Council will:

• Audit and review the quality of programs on behalf of the University Council.

• Provide recommendations to the University Council regarding reviews conducted by the National Authority for Qualifications and Quality Assurance of Education and Training, resolutions and bylaws of the Higher Education Council, and matters related to the national qualifications framework (NQF).

• Monitor the outcomes and work plans resulting from visits by professional, legislative, and regulatory authorities.

• Submit proposals to the University Council concerning reviews related to the University's instructions and quality assurance methods, including joint regulations.

• Review and promote the strategic plan for quality assurance and accreditation as submitted by the Quality Assurance and Accreditation Council.

• Monitor the primary activities of quality assurance and accreditation, including periodic institutional and program reviews.

• Evaluate the accomplishments of the Quality Assurance and Accreditation Centre and the Quality Assurance and Accreditation Units within the Colleges, and provide recommendations for necessary improvements.

• Approve the Quality Assurance and Accreditation Manual as submitted by the Quality Assurance and Accreditation Centre.

Membership of the Council for a one-year term is as follows:

• President (Chairman of the Council).

• Vice President for Academic Affairs and Development (Vice Chairman of the Council).

• Vice President for Administration, Finance, and Community Engagement.

• Dean of Research and Graduate Studies.

• Director of the Quality Assurance and Accreditation Centre (Council Secretary).

• Director of Administration and Finance.

• Director of Student Affairs.

• Director of Admissions and Registration.

• Head of the Governance and Strategic Planning Unit.

• Heads of the Quality Assurance and Accreditation Units in each College.

• Manager of the Career Development and Alumni Affairs Office.

• Head of the Academic Staff Development Unit.

• Secretary General of University Councils.

• An external member appointed by the University President when needed (non-voting member).

• The Chairman of the Council may invite additional individuals to attend meetings as necessary.

The Quality Assurance and Accreditation Council convenes at specified times agreed upon during the first meeting and must meet at least once every three months or as required. Meetings of the Council are held with the presence of the majority of members, including the Chairman. Decisions and recommendations are made by a majority vote, with the Chairman having the casting vote in the event of a tie. Recommendations and resolutions of the Council are presented by the Chairman to the University Council.