This study, conducted as part of an unfunded research project, presents the findings of an empirical investigation aimed at developing a comprehensive framework of key competencies for heads of academic departments. The framework is designed to support both the preparation of academics for leadership roles and the ongoing development and…

Background/purpose: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have witnessed many developments in various fields due to their commitment to unity and cooperation. The GCC has launched initiatives inspired by the European Universities Initiative to support regional higher education. These initiatives include establishing networks and…

Background/purpose: This study aimed to identify common mistakes made in master's theses on mathematics education by Saudi mathematics students at lAU in Saudi Arabia, as determined through a content analysis, and to compare these with the views of faculty members. Materials/methods: A descriptive approach (analytical and survey) was employed. The…

The study examines how Saudi Arabian higher education professionals use social media for informal learning and skill accession, exploring the effect on skill development, professional networking, and career highness. This study aims to recognize how these platforms contribute to professional development outside traditional educational contexts by…

This study introduces and validates the artificial intelligence anxiety scale (AIAS), a novel instrument designed to measure researchers' anxieties when employing artificial intelligence (AI) tools in academic writing. As AI technologies rapidly infiltrate scholarly work, however, the primary concern grows about their ethical implications, impact…

Promotion represents an important factor for the employee regardless of his/her position, especially the academic. It is noticeable in our daily life that there are obstacles that limit promotion, and these obstacles are established and organized for in at least some cases by those who are related and have something to do with it. These obstacles…

Background/purpose: This study examines the transformative and innovative roles of the teaching faculty at King Khalid University (KKU) in the context of the Fifth Industrial Revolution, with particular focus on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education. Materials/methods: The study utilized a survey research design,…

Challenges remain in achieving world-class standards in teaching and research while higher education has recently developed rapidly in Arabian Gulf countries. This mixed-methods study compared research engagement among academics in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) about demographics, institutional support, and…

This study investigated in the Saudi Arabian context the relationship between student-instructor interaction and students' academic attainment. A survey secured reports from university students (n = 167) of their age, gender, interactions with instructors, and cumulative grade mean score for the previous three semesters. The results indicated a…

The social model of disability assumes that the university environment sometimes creates disability related obstacles and barriers. This study investigated faculty members' attitudes toward students with disabilities and the latter's capability to succeed in Saudi Arabian universities. The study surveyed 719 faculty members and conducted…

This study explores Arab university faculty's views on fully AI-generated assignments and research papers submitted by students, what reasons they give for their stance and how they react in this case. Surveys with a sample of 45 Arab instructors revealed that 98% do not accept AI-generated assignments and research papers from students at all.…

Given the entrenched movement toward internal and external accreditation in Middle Eastern universities, it is important to gain insights into departments heads' performance, which contributes to the quality of the university's work and its reputation. Results from related research can be used in the development of leadership performance criteria.…

In this case study, I discuss my use of the life history approach to investigate the experience of women academics in Saudi Arabia's higher education system. I introduce the elements of the life history approach and argue for its value for empowering women. I start by explaining the steps I followed in applying this approach to my inquiry. I…

Background: Boredom has recently attracted increasing attention in second (L2) or foreign language learning (EFL), but little is known about how this feeling affects student and teacher engagement in virtual English learning. The present study aims to determine the arbitrary factors and strategies for managing boredom in virtual learning. Method:…

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the antecedents, correlates, and consequences of burnout among higher education faculty in Saudi Arabia using the theoretical framework of the job demands-resources model. Design/methodology/approach: Using a quantitative research design, a cross-sectional survey was employed to collect data from faculty…