His Excellency the University Rector, Prof. Falleh R. M. Al-Solamy, chaired the 8^th Council Meeting for the current academic year 1439 AH, in the presence of the Interim Secretary-General assigned to the responsibilities of the Higher Education Council, Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Saleh, the university's senior leadership, faculty deans, and supporting deanships.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Interim Vice Rector of Higher Studies, Dr. Saad Alamry, reviewed the topics on the agenda, which included the council's recommendation to establish a Tourism & Cultural Heritage College, the approval of the annual and final report, the approval of the Deanship of Students Affairs plan for 1439-1440 AH, the restructuring of the scientific council, and the approval of the academic preparation program for 1439-1440 AH.

Interim Vice Rector Alamry pointed out that the council approved 4 new bachelor programs:

• Fashion Design Program – College of Home Economics
• Nutrition Program - College of Home Economics
• Advanced Sharia Program – College of Sharia and fundamentals of religion
• Arabic for non-Arabic Speakers Bachelor Program

As for the master programs, 12 new programs have been approved:

• Mechanical Engineering Program in the field of Renewable Energy – College of Engineering
• Electrical Engineering Program – College of Engineering
• Fire Safety Engineering Program - College of Engineering
• Project Management Program – College of Engineering
• Computer Science Program – College of Computer Science
• Media and Communication Program – College of Humanities
• Computer Engineering Program (Coursework) - College of Computer Engineering
• Computer Engineering Program (Thesis) - College Computer Engineering
• Information Technology Program (Coursework) – College of Computer Science
• Information Technology Program (Thesis) – College of Computer Science
• Laws program – College of Sharia and Fundamentals of Religion
• Invitation to Islam – College of Sharia and Fundamentals of Religion