Article One

For the purposes of this Policy, the following terms and expressions – wherever they appear – shall have the meanings indicated opposite each of them, unless the context requires otherwise:

Article Two

This Policy aims to regulate the cooperative training process in a manner that ensures efficiency and quality of the training experience. It seeks to strengthen the relationship between educational institutions and the labor market in order to bridge the gap between educational outcomes and the workplace environment, as well as to identify and assess trainees’ professional abilities at an early stage. This contributes to preparing them for effective integration into the labor market.

Article Three

A number of credit hours are allocated to cooperative training in the study plan, not exceeding 10% of the total credit hours for bachelor’s programs, and not exceeding 20% for diploma programs. The academic department determines the number of credit hours based on the study plan, in line with labor market needs and development requirements, provided that it does not affect the program’s eligibility for local and international accreditation.

Al-Jouf University Executive Rule:

Without prejudice to the provisions of Article Three of the Cooperative Training Policy for University Students, and without contradiction with the study plans approved by the University Council, the training regulations are as follows:

• Cooperative training shall be a compulsory course in the study plans of the university and considered a graduation requirement, except for health colleges that include internship programs.
• The student’s record shall reflect the grade earned in the training program upon completion, and the grade will be calculated within the GPA.
• The student must complete at least 70% of the study plan credit hours to be eligible to enroll in cooperative training. The College Council, or its delegate, may grant an exception in cases of academic justification, provided that the approval is endorsed by the Standing Committee for Curricula and Study Plans.
• A percentage of credit hours shall be allocated to cooperative training in both bachelor’s and diploma programs, ranging between 3%–10% for bachelor’s and 5%–20% for diploma programs.
• The academic department shall determine the number of cooperative training credit hours based on the program’s study plan, ensuring alignment with labor market needs and sustainable development requirements.
• The allocated credit hours for cooperative training must comply with local and international accreditation standards.
• The designated credit hours for cooperative training shall be periodically reviewed by the academic department to ensure alignment with scientific and professional developments and with labor market dynamics.
• Students shall attend cooperative training at the host organization on a full-time daily basis, five days a week. A reduction in weekly training days may be approved by the Department and College Councils in accordance with the study plan and course description.
• Students enrolled in full-time cooperative training are not permitted to register for other courses during the training period, except for online courses that do not conflict with training hours, provided the student attends all assessments (exams, discussions, etc.).
• Each academic department shall set the maximum allowed absence percentage. Exceeding this limit will result in a “Denied” grade in the training course, provided that attendance is not less than 75%. The absence threshold must be periodically reviewed to ensure alignment with program requirements and training objectives.

Article Four

The cooperative training format shall be face-to-face. The University Council may, when necessary and in cases where face-to-face training is not feasible, approve alternative formats such as blended or online training, provided the objectives of the training are not compromised.

Al-Jouf University Executive Rule:

Without prejudice to the provisions of Article Four of the Cooperative Training Policy for University Students, in cases where face-to-face training is not feasible, the Standing Committee for Curricula and Study Plans, based on the recommendation of the concerned Department and College Councils, may approve the following:

• Adopting blended or online cooperative training, provided that a fully integrated remote training program is offered by the host organization, with measures in place to ensure quality, effectiveness, and achievement of training objectives.
• Approving internal training programs designed by the respective college, ensuring that they simulate real workplace environments and include essential tasks and skills required by actual job roles, in order to achieve the intended training outcomes.

Article Five

The trainee must complete the cooperative training course prior to graduation. During the training period, the trainee is required to adhere to workplace ethics, policies, and requirements at the host organization, and maintain confidentiality of any data or information accessed during training, even after the training period ends.

Al-Jouf University Executive Rule:

Without prejudice to Article Five of the Cooperative Training Policy for University Students, and without conflicting with the Labor Law and its implementing regulations, the trainee must:

• Successfully complete all requirements of the cooperative training course as a graduation requirement.
• Adhere to all provisions and obligations outlined in the training agreement between the university and the host organization, and perform assigned tasks at the host organization satisfactorily.
• Comply with the host organization’s regulations, policies, and occupational health and safety guidelines.
• Maintain proper conduct and behavior with staff, clients, and all stakeholders of the host organization.
• Safeguard the organization’s facilities, tools, and property, while ensuring the safety of its staff and clients.
• Not disclose or share any confidential information with external or competing entities; legal action may be taken in case of a breach of confidentiality.

Article Six

The cooperative training duration in the study plan shall not be less than two academic semesters, or three academic terms, or four academic levels, depending on the university’s system. One of these terms or levels may fall within the summer semester. The University Council, upon the recommendation of the College (or Institute) Council, may reduce the duration, provided it is not less than one academic semester or two academic levels.

Al-Jouf University Executive Rule:

The cooperative training duration in the study plan shall not be less than one full academic semester. The training may include the summer semester that precedes or follows the cooperative training semester.

Article Seven

The undergraduate study and examination regulations shall apply to the academic procedures of the cooperative training course.

Al-Jouf University Executive Rule:

The undergraduate study and examination regulations, as well as the executive rules at Al-Jouf University (and their subsequent amendments or updates), shall apply to the academic procedures of the cooperative training course.

Article Eight

The educational institution shall undertake the following:

• Establish regulations, procedures, and timelines for training.
• Define the requirements and conditions for accepting training providers.
• Strive to provide and supervise training opportunities for trainees.
• Oversee, monitor, and evaluate the training process to ensure quality enhancement.
• Establish partnerships with training providers and evaluate them periodically.

Al-Jouf University Executive Rule:

The Vice Presidency for Educational Affairs, represented by the relevant committees, units, and departments, and in coordination with the concerned colleges, shall define the procedural regulations for implementing cooperative training courses, including:

• Developing a timeline specifying the start and end dates of training periods, application windows for training opportunities, and registration procedures, aligned with the study plan and academic calendar.
• The Standing Committee for Academic Affairs shall determine the number of trainees per section and the maximum sections allowed for each faculty member, in accordance with the university’s regulations and policies.
• Establishing criteria for selecting appropriate training providers.
• Defining application requirements for students wishing to register for cooperative training.
• Setting procedures for periodic monitoring of trainees during the training period.
• Establishing clear and integrated mechanisms for evaluating trainee performance, including evaluations by the training provider and the academic supervisor.
• Defining responsibilities and mechanisms for academic supervision during the training period.
• Establishing procedures to address any issues or challenges faced by trainees during the training.
• Establishing partnerships and agreements with recognized training providers, with periodic evaluations to ensure training requirements are met and a suitable training environment is provided.
• Creating and regularly updating a database of training providers approved by the university.
• Adding or updating procedural regulations in line with new developments.

Article Nine

Each college or institute under the educational institution shall:

• Identify the training needs of its students.
• Prepare and coordinate pre-orientation programs for students.
• Approve lists of students expected to undergo training on a periodic basis.
• Approve the results of feedback analysis.

Al-Jouf University Executive Rule:

Each college, represented by its student training unit, shall oversee cooperative training programs in coordination with academic departments and training providers regarding planning, preparation, and program development, by:

• Identifying student training needs in coordination with academic departments and approved training providers.
• Approving lists of students expected to undergo training each semester based on available training plans and admission criteria.
• Preparing and coordinating a pre-orientation program for students, including workshops and training sessions to familiarize them with workplace environments, behaviors, requirements, standards, and responsibilities during training.
• Monitoring and analyzing feedback from students and training providers, and approving improvement plans to ensure training quality.
• Preparing an annual comprehensive report for the Dean of the College, outlining achievements, challenges, and outcomes of the cooperative training program, along with recommendations for improvement.

Article Ten

Each academic department shall:

• Prepare lists of students expected to undergo training in its programs.
• Assign academic training supervisors each semester.
• Study and analyze feedback from training providers regarding trainees and academic programs.
• Define additional criteria for selecting training providers.
• Designate members of the final trainee evaluation committee.
• Determine final evaluation schedules for training.

Al-Jouf University Executive Rule:

Each academic department, represented by its training unit, shall plan, prepare, and oversee the training program, and coordinate with training providers for its implementation, by:

• Preparing lists of students expected to enroll in cooperative training at the start of the semester preceding the training, in line with study plans and graduation requirements.
• Proposing academic supervisors at the beginning of each semester to monitor and guide trainees, ensuring they are familiar with program requirements.
• Analyzing feedback from training providers regarding trainees and academic programs after each training cycle, and submitting a report for discussion in the Department Council.
• Reviewing and updating training provider selection criteria annually based on labor market requirements and academic goals.
• Proposing committees of faculty members to conduct final evaluations of trainees, based on approved and clear criteria, to be endorsed by the Department Council.
• Proposing suitable timelines for final evaluations, to be conducted within two weeks after the training ends.
• Preparing an annual comprehensive report for the Department Council, including program achievements, challenges, and outcomes, along with recommendations for enhancing efficiency and quality.

Article Eleven

The academic supervisor is responsible for monitoring and evaluating the student during and after the training period, which includes—but is not limited to—reviewing and approving periodic reports, conducting field visits, holding weekly meetings, and approving academic actions related to training activities.

Al-Jouf University Executive Rule:

The academic supervisor shall:

• Monitor and evaluate the student during training, and serve as part of the final evaluation committee, using clear and approved criteria covering overall performance and acquired skills.
• Review and approve periodic reports submitted by the student, ensuring accurate documentation of experiences and achievements.
• Conduct field visits to the training provider and communicate with the field supervisor to ensure effective training progress and provide necessary support.
• Approve academic procedures related to training activities to ensure alignment with program requirements.
• Provide constructive feedback to the student after the final evaluation, highlighting strengths, weaknesses, and recommendations for improvement.
• Document and record all training-related activities with the student.

Article Twelve

In accordance with the regulations governing faculty members at Saudi universities, the University Council shall establish rules for counting the teaching load of academic supervisors overseeing trainees.

Al-Jouf University Executive Rule:

• Academic supervision hours shall be counted as part of the teaching load, provided they are recorded in the supervisor’s teaching schedule.
• One credit hour shall be counted for every four students supervised in the cooperative training course.
• A maximum of six credit hours per semester may be counted for any faculty member.
• If only one section exists at the program level and the number of students is fewer than four, one credit hour shall still be counted.
• Cooperative training courses shall be assigned to faculty members according to their academic specialization, ensuring fair workload distribution among faculty, under the supervision of the Department Chair. Priority shall be given to faculty members holding professional certifications or specialized training in the field.
• The rules regarding the number of students per section and the maximum load for faculty shall be reviewed and updated periodically to align with developments in cooperative training and the university’s regulations.

Article Thirteen

The provisions of this Policy shall apply to undergraduate students in educational institutions. Health programs offered by educational institutions are excluded from the application of this Policy and shall instead be subject to the rules, policies, and regulations issued by the competent authorities responsible for health disciplines.

Article Fourteen

In matters not explicitly addressed in this Policy, the applicable regulations, bylaws, and instructions in force at the educational institution shall apply.

Article Fifteen

1. The University Council shall issue the necessary arrangements and procedures for implementing this Policy, provided that they do not conflict with its provisions.
2. This Policy shall come into effect at the beginning of the academic year 1446 AH.