Under the coordination of the Branch Director office, the Branch Council is the sole decision maker in all operational aspects. The Assistant Branch Director for Academic Affairs is in charge of academic issues in the Branch and the regional centers. Recently, a new post has been created to serve the branches, namely the Office of the Regional Centers Affairs. This office acts as a liaison between the regional centers and the Branch administrative units in Riyadh.

Directors of Regional Centers

The Director of a Regional Center (DRC) is the executive officer of the Regional Center (RC), who is in charge of academic, financial and administrative affairs of the regional center. The DRC applies the University rules and regulation in full coordination with the AOU Branch in Riyadh. The DRC reports to the Branch Director. The DRC is a member of the Branch Council.

Procedural Interaction between Branch and Regional Center

The supervisory role of the branch over affiliated RCs calls for periodic fact-finding visits made by the BD and/or his assistants to the learning centers. Meanwhile, the processes associated with a number of topics are outlined below, in which required interaction between the branch and affiliated RCs is underlined.

Key Management Roles

The following job descriptions provide brief outlines of the main responsibilities associated with key positions within the organizational structure of the Saudi Arabia Branch. But it should also be emphasized that all roles described herein are supposed to be carried out in a cooperative and integrated manner.

Branch Director

  BD reports directly to the Rector
  Maintains direct channels of communication with the Vice Rectors and the Deans
  Oversees general academic, administrative and financial management of the Branch, both       at its HQ in Riyadh and other campus locations at the Regional and Learning Centers
  Chairs the Branch Council and the Branch Exam Committee
  Follows up on matters of academic and administrative appointments and promotions at the       Branch
  Leads on local accreditation
  Represents the University to the local authorities

Academic Assistant Director

  Assists the BD in all aspects of the academic operation of the Branch
  Acts for the BD in his absence
  Serves on the Branch Council and the Branch Exam Committee

Administrative Assistant Director

  Assists the BD in all aspects of administrative functions
  Serves on the Branch Council

Head of Administrative Affairs

  Assists BD in coordinating aspects of administrative needs of the Branch
  Maintains employees’ files and records
  Follows up on space needs of the Branch

Head of Finance Division

  Prepares Branch budget under the supervision of the BD
  Manages budgetary appropriations
  Follows up on collection of student fees
  Coordinates Branch’s dealings with local banks

Head of Student Affairs

  Follows up on student activities, especially on university premises
  Provides support for all forms of student services
  Coordinates student financial help

Head of Admissions & Registration

  Manages matters of student recruitment, admissions and course registration
  Keeps records of student marks and grades at Branch level
  Issues student transcripts and other such documents

Director of Regional Center

  Acts on behalf of the BD in administering the Regional Center
  Recruits required local part-time Tutors and Tutors in coordination with BD
  Oversees various aspects of operations at the RC.

Head of Information & Public Relations

  Prepares annual plan of Branch publicity campaign
  Maintains links of communication with the local community
  Oversees Branch announcements in the local media
  Coordinates itineraries of visitors to the Branch
  Proposes ways and means for projecting a positive image of the Branch

Head of Quality Assurance Unit

  Helps maintain vigilance on adopted standards of QA
  Maintains reports on student evaluation of Tutors and courses
  Disseminates information on QA standards to all concerned parties