Rules Policies and Manuals
Open Access Policy to Research Infrastructure at Jouf University 2025
Introduction:
The Open Access Policy for research laboratories at universities represents a fundamental pillar in maximizing the efficient utilization of available research resources and infrastructure. This contributes to supporting scientific advancement and achieving sustainable development. By adopting this policy, the University and researchers can share advanced research capabilities and equipment, reducing the need for repeated investment in high-cost instruments. Moreover, the policy optimizes the return on the state’s financial resources by improving expenditure management in scientific research and enhancing research cooperation between local and international universities. This, in turn, positively impacts the quality of research outputs and scientific innovations.
In light of the shift towards a knowledge-based economy, implementing an open access policy becomes an urgent necessity to achieve research integration and support the national goals for research and innovation.
Accordingly, this policy holds significant importance at Jouf University, as it contributes to regulating scientific research and innovation activities within the university. It ensures optimal use of its laboratories, research facilities, and infrastructure by defining responsibilities and authorities among various departments, councils, and committees, ensuring transparency in operations, and fostering a culture of research and innovation within the academic community. This ultimately leads to achieving the noble objectives of supporting scientific research and innovation.
Article One: Terms and Definitions:
• Research Infrastructure: Includes the Central Laboratory, college and research/innovation center laboratories, scientific devices and equipment, electronic resources, scientific and research data, electronic infrastructure, and any other tools used in research, development, and innovation activities.
• Internal Users: Faculty members, researchers, research assistants, technicians, university students, and other affiliated personnel.
• External Users: Entities in the RDI ecosystem not affiliated with Jouf University, including individual researchers, research teams, academic institutions, business or industrial organizations, public service sectors, or NGOs.
• Open Access: Enabling external users to access the research infrastructure at Jouf University to conduct R&D and innovation activities.
• Intellectual Property Rights (IPR): All legal rights related to research outputs and discoveries, including patents, copyrights, publishing rights, trade secrets, and others.
• Research Training: Educational programs and workshops provided to internal and external users to enhance their skills in using research equipment and devices.
In addition to the above, the definitions outlined in the “Open Access Policy to Government-Funded Research Infrastructure in Saudi Arabia” issued by Cabinet Decision No. 159 dated 20/2/1445 AH shall also apply.
Article Two: Policy Objectives:
In addition to the objectives stated in the national Open Access Policy, the objectives of applying this policy at Jouf University include:
1. Maximizing the use of research resources by improving the management of available equipment and reducing redundancy in procurement.
2. Encouraging research collaboration and strengthening partnerships between departments within the university and other local institutions.
3. Reducing research costs and financial burdens by sharing available infrastructure, allowing budgets to be directed toward new research projects.
4. Accelerating discoveries and innovations by enabling rapid access to advanced research labs and equipment.
5. Promoting transparency and equal opportunity among faculty, students, and others to benefit from available research resources.
6. Enhancing the university's academic and research reputation by aligning access practices with international standards.
7. Contributing to Saudi Vision 2030 by supporting the knowledge economy and positioning the university as a leading provider of scientific solutions.
Article Three: Purpose and Scope:
• Purpose: The policy aims to maximize the use of research infrastructure, foster collaboration, and align with Vision 2030 by ensuring optimal use of resources and flexible access to advanced technologies.
• Scope: This policy applies to all research infrastructure at Jouf University fully or partially funded by the Saudi government.
Article Four: Governance and Operations:
1. The Deanship of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research oversees platforms linking users with lab supervisors.
2. It is responsible for preparing procedural manuals, templates, and implementation mechanisms.
3. The Standing Committee for Research and Innovation approves all tools and procedures related to infrastructure access.
4. Supervisors handle request follow-ups and submit usage reports.
5. Users must complete all required forms and undertakings before use.
6. Users must complete any required training beforehand.
7. Supervisors must report any misuse-related damages.
8. Clearance is granted only after supervisor approval.
Article Five: Access Regulations:
In accordance with the national policy principles:
• Access Prioritization: Based on “Excellence-Driven,” “Market-Driven,” and “Broad-Scale” categories.
• Fees: The university may impose fees under market-driven access agreements.
• Inventory: The university must periodically update its infrastructure inventory.
• Mechanism: An access mechanism must be developed for external users.
• Training: May be mandatory if users lack necessary skills.
• Training Programs: Regular sessions must be organized for all users.
Intellectual Property Rights:
1. Users must report any inventions resulting from infrastructure use.
2. IP rights for collaborative research follow university policy unless specified otherwise.
3. Publications must acknowledge university support and mention contributors.
Health, Safety, Security, and Environment:
1. All parties must adhere to occupational health and safety standards.
2. Users must follow approved safety procedures.
3. Supervisors must provide safety guidance and emergency plans.
4. Users must follow related university policies.
Liability and Quality Assurance:
1. Supervisors must provide safety instructions and emergency protocols.
2. Users bear full responsibility for damages caused by negligence.
3. Supervisors must report potential risks.
4. Users must complete satisfaction surveys before clearance.
Data Management and Confidentiality:
1. Supervisors and staff must protect the confidentiality of user results.
2. Users must maintain infrastructure confidentiality.
3. All parties must comply with university data policies.
Restrictions and Monitoring:
• The university may restrict open access or specific users in accordance with national policy provisions.
• Supervisors must perform annual inventories and report on equipment condition and maintenance needs.
Article Six: General Provisions:
1. If not otherwise stated, national policies and university regulations apply.
2. Commercial use of infrastructure requires prior approval and contractual agreements defining IP and revenue shares.
3. The policy takes effect upon approval.
4. The Standing Committee retains interpretation rights.
5. The policy may be updated as needed.