Khaberni - The spokesperson for the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Mohannad Al-Khatib, said that the Cabinet's decision to exempt scholars funded by official universities from the fines due on them reflects the government's commitment to balancing the interests of the students and enhancing the universities’ collection of their financial dues.
Al-Khatib explained in a statement today, Monday, that the decision issued by the Cabinet yesterday, Sunday, is in accordance with the Exemption from Public Money Law Number (28) of 2006 and its amendments, stating that previous exemption decisions have positively reflected on the universities in terms of increasing their collection of dues.
He noted that the decision stipulates a full exemption from all dues fines for a scholar if they settle the principal claim, i.e., the full actual cost of the scholarship, in one payment either at the Ministry of Finance/Public Funds Directorate or directly at the concerned university.
He added that the decision also includes a 50 percent exemption from fines in case the scholar decides to pay the principal claim—the full actual cost of the scholarship and the remaining fines—over a period of 12 months, provided financial guarantees are submitted and the settlement is completed according to regulations, and includes a scholar who has paid the full principal claim and a part of the fines, where they are exempted from the remaining fines due.
Al-Khatib continued, stating that any amounts previously paid by the scholars to the universities or the Ministry of Finance/Public Funds Directorate are counted within the principal of the actual expenses, and if the payments exceed the principal claim, the scholar is exempted from the remaining fines without any reimbursement of money.
Regarding the legal cases of the scholars, he clarified that the decision has arranged them such that a scholar is exempted from the amount of fines in cases where final judgments have been issued in favor of universities, provided that the actual expenses of the scholarship are paid in addition to the fees, expenses, attorney fees, and legal interest due on the principal amount of the scholarship in one payment. As for cases still pending in court without final judgments, fines will be exempted after settling the actual expenses and any due fees, with correspondence to the competent court to dismiss the case according to regulations.
Al-Khatib emphasized that this decision contributes to easing the financial situations of the scholars and enables them to correct their commitments towards the universities, noting that the new measures provide a stable educational environment and support the universities' ability to manage their resources efficiently, thereby enhancing the quality of higher education in the Kingdom.
He pointed out that the decision represents a clear balance between the interests of the students and the universities, ensures the rights of both parties, and reflects the commitment of the Ministry of Higher Education and the Cabinet to implement fair and sustainable financial policies that serve the educational process and achieve academic and financial stability for both universities and scholars alike.
The Cabinet decided to approve the exemption of scholars funded by official universities from the fines due on them; this allows those who have financial obligations to official universities to correct their financial situations and alleviate their burden.
The decision stipulates the exemption of the scholar from all fines due on them in case they settle the principal claim (the full actual cost of the scholarship in one payment) either at the Ministry of Finance / Public Funds Directorate or directly at the concerned university.
It also stipulates a 50% exemption from the fines due on the scholar in case they decide to pay the principal claim (the full actual cost of the scholarship) and the remaining fines over a period of 12 months, provided financial guarantees are presented, and the settlement is completed.
The decision also includes exemption for a scholar who has paid the full actual cost of the scholarship and part of the fines from the remaining fines due on them, and considers any amounts previously paid by the scholars to the universities or the Ministry of Finance / Public Funds Directorate as part of the actual expenses, if the amount paid is less than these expenses.
If the amounts paid exceed the principal of the actual expenses of the scholarship, the scholar is exempted from the remaining fines and no amounts will be refunded.
Regarding the legal cases of the scholars with final judgments issued in favor of the universities, or still pending in competent courts, they are dealt with by exempting the claims in which final judgments have been issued from the value of the fines, provided the actual expenses of the scholarship are paid in addition to the fees, expenses, attorney fees, and legal interest due on the principal amount of the scholarship in one payment.
As for cases still pending in competent courts without final judgments, fines will be exempted, provided the actual expenses of the scholarship and any due fees and expenses for the case are paid in one payment, and the competent court is contacted to dismiss the case according to regulations.
