Based on the provisions of Paragraph (2) of Article (37) and Paragraph (2) of Article (47) of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research Law No. (40) of 1988, we hereby issue the following instructions:
No. (160) of 2007 Student Discipline Instructions in Institutions of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research
Article (1): The student shall adhere to the following:
First: Compliance with the laws, regulations, bylaws, instructions, and orders issued by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and its institutions (University, Commission, College, Institute).
Second: Not offending religious beliefs, national unity, or national sentiments, and refraining from intentionally inciting sectarian, ethnic, or religious strife through words or actions.
Third: Avoiding any disparagement of the reputation of the Ministry or its institutions, whether by word or deed, inside or outside these institutions.
Fourth: Avoiding any conduct that contradicts university decorum, including maintaining high discipline and respect for the administration, faculty members, staff, and fostering collegial and cooperative relationships among students.
Fifth: Maintaining disciplined and upright behavior, which will positively reflect on the student during recruitment and nomination for scholarships and study fellowships.
Sixth: Refraining from any act that would disturb order, tranquility, and peace within the campus (College or Institute), as well as abstaining from participating in, inciting, or covering up for those involved in such acts.
Seventh: Preserving educational supplies and the properties of the University, Commission, College, or Institute.
Eighth: Avoiding any interference with the proper conduct of studies at the College or Institute.
Ninth: Adhering to the prescribed uniform for students, while respecting the specific regulations of each university or commission individually.
Tenth: Avoiding calls for the establishment of organizations that would deepen division or the practice of any form of political, religious, or social persecution.
Eleventh: Avoiding propaganda for any party, political organization, or ethnic, national, or sectarian group, whether through displaying photos, banners, and posters, or by organizing seminars.
Twelfth: Refraining from inviting partisan figures to deliver lectures or hold partisan or religious propaganda seminars within the campus, in order to preserve national unity.
Article (2): The student shall be punished with a "Notice" (Warning) if they commit any of the following violations:
First: Non-compliance with the prescribed uniform at the University or the Commission.
Second: Damaging collegial relationships among students or verbally assaulting another student.
Article (3): The student shall be punished with a "Warning" if they commit any of the following violations:
First: Committing an act that warrants a "Notice" (Warning) punishment, having previously been punished with a "Notice".
Second: Disturbing the order, tranquility, and peace within the University, Commission, College, or Institute.
Article (4): The student shall be punished with "Suspension" for a period of (30) days if they commit any of the following violations:
First: Committing an act that warrants a "Warning" punishment, having previously been punished with a "Warning".
Second: Verbally assaulting a university staff member other than the faculty members.
Third: Defaming a faculty member in a manner that insults them, whether inside or outside the College or Institute.
Fourth: Posting placards or posters—within the campus—that violate public order and morality.
Article (5): The student shall be punished with "Temporary Suspension" from the university for a period not exceeding one academic year if they commit any of the following violations:
First: Repeatedly committing any of the acts stipulated in Article (4) of these instructions.
Second: Practicing or inciting sectarian or ethnic groupings, or partisan political gatherings within the campus.
Third: Physically assaulting a university staff member other than the faculty members.
Fourth: Using violence against fellow students.
Fifth: Threatening to commit acts of armed violence.
Sixth: Carrying weapons of any kind, whether licensed or unlicensed, within the campus.
Seventh: Intentionally or through gross negligence causing damage to the property of the University, Commission, College, or Institute.
Eighth: Offending national unity or religious beliefs.
Ninth: Verbally assaulting a faculty member inside or outside the College or Institute.
Tenth: Disparaging the reputation of the University or the Commission by word or deed.
Eleventh: Deliberate disruption of the proper conduct of studies.
Twelfth: Proven commission of fraud or deception against fellow students and staff members of the College or Institute.
Article (6): The student shall be punished with "Final Expulsion" from the College or Institute by a decision of the University or the Commission, and their enrollment shall be terminated if they commit any of the following violations:
First: Repeating any of the violations stipulated in Article (5) of these instructions.
Second: Physically assaulting a faculty member or a lecturer at the University, Commission, College, or Institute.
Third: Committing a disgraceful act that contradicts public morals and ethics.
Fourth: Submitting any forged documents, books, or records while being aware of the forgery, or being an instigator of such forgery.
Fifth: Proven commission of, participation in, or assistance with an act that breaches security and tranquility within the campus.
Sixth: Being convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, where the sentence exceeds one year of imprisonment.
Article (7)
First: The imposition of the penalties stipulated in Articles (2), (3), (4), (5), and (6) of these instructions upon a violating student does not preclude the imposition of other penalties if the violation falls under the purview of penal laws.
Second: If criminal proceedings are initiated against a student for an act attributed to them outside the University or Institute, the disciplinary consideration of the matter shall be stayed (deferred) until a final judgment is rendered in the criminal case.
Article (8)
The Dean of the College or Institute shall form a Student Discipline Committee, chaired by the Assistant Dean and with the membership of two faculty members, provided that one of the committee members is a legal expert. Additionally, a representative from the (elected) Students' Union shall be a member, and an administrative staff member shall be assigned to perform the duties of the committee's rapporteur.
Article (9)
No disciplinary penalty may be imposed unless it has been recommended by the Student Discipline Committee.
Article (10)
The disciplinary penalties stipulated in these instructions shall be imposed by a decision of the College or Institute Council. The Council may delegate its powers to the Dean of the College or Institute.
Article (11)
First: The penalties of "Notice" and "Warning" shall be final (non-appealable).
Second: A student suspended from the College or Institute for a period not exceeding (30) thirty days has the right to appeal the suspension decision before the College or Institute Council, and its decision shall be final.
Third: A student suspended from the College or Institute for a period exceeding (30) thirty days has the right to appeal the suspension decision before the President of the University, and their decision shall be final.
Fourth: A student facing "Final Expulsion" from the College or Institute has the right to appeal the expulsion decision before the University Council, and its decision shall be final.
Article (12)
The student has the right to appeal the suspension or expulsion decisions stipulated in clauses (Second), (Third), and (Fourth) of Article (11) of these instructions within (7) seven days from the date of being notified of the decision issued against them. If notification is not possible, the student shall have the right to appeal within (15) fifteen days from the date the suspension/expulsion decision is posted on the notice board.
Article (13)
The penalty decision shall be posted on the notice board of the College or Institute for a period of no less than (15) fifteen days, and the student's guardian shall be notified thereof in writing.
Article (14)
The Higher Education Student Discipline Instructions No. (19) of 1989 are hereby repealed.
Article (15)
These instructions shall come into effect from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.
