Transformation to a public university
The hope was initially that the university would be limited to only four colleges, but God’s will, with His abundant grace and great blessings, made the wheel of development in the country turn faster than expected. Meanwhile, His Majesty the late King Faisal felt that the university, which had grown strong and had established its feet on the ground, was in need of government support. He decided - may God have mercy on him - to annex the university to the state, and issued Royal Decree No. (150) dated 4/2/1391 AH, ordering the annexation of the university to the state, in order to help it perform its mission with more excellence and success. The decree also stipulated that the university be considered an important educational institution, with the annexation of the College of Sharia and Islamic Studies, which was established in 1369 AH, and the College of Education in Makkah Al-Mukarramah, which was established in 1382 AH, to King Abdulaziz University, and then they separated later to be annexed to Umm Al-Qura University after its establishment.
On 1/22/1392 AH, King Abdulaziz University became a legal educational institution under the university’s bylaws, which were issued by Royal Decree No. (M/5) dated 2/4/1391 AH.
