National Center for Youth Studies

"Youth Future in Scientific Vision"

Introduction:

Youth is the most social category, which is vulnerable to changes, making it one of the population groups targeted by the development plans being the most important manpower and the starting point for many development and social programs.

In this delicate stage of age, ranging between 15 and 30 years old, the young people often can not cope up with the rapid changes they experience, which may reflect on their behavior and their actions. Youth group is the largest in the society, as a result of the increase in the birth rate, health services improvement and cultural awareness witnessed by the Kingdom over the recent years, thankfully.

Because young people are the most effective manpower component in job opportunities and the largest segment in society desiring for renewal and coping up with changes, they are better able to interact and respond to the outputs of education the technology. This is due to basic features, characterizing the people in this stage, the most important of which are the continuous desire for looking for the new and their opinions that tries to affirm that they he has reached an independent stage of age.

In the light of the above, it has become very important to have plans for a better future for the young people prepared by the educational, cultural and social institutions, and to establish a specialized centre to study their conditions, monitor, study and analyzes their current and future problems in a scientific manner, and make the appropriate procedural recommendations that benefit both them and their society.

This trend has culminated in the approval of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Prime Minister and Commander of the Higher Education Council – may Allah protect him – in his Cable Directive No. 1086/MB, dated 26/1/1428H, of the Higher Education Council Resolution No. (9/44/1427) dated 21/10/1427H on the establishment of the "National Center for Youth Research."

Vision:

To be a pioneer center in youth research and issues, and to achieve excellence in proposing qualitative solutions and programs that fulfils the various needs for the young people.

Mission:

To make effective contribution to youth related research, to provide scientific and research advice to the highest standards of professionalism, and to improve the level of young people so that they can actively participate in the different areas of development.

 

Factors of Center Excellence:

1.      It was the first national center specialized in youth research, the establishment of which was approved by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Prime Minister and Commander of the Higher Education Council – may Allah protect him -.

2.      The Center is based in King Saud University, where there are high competencies in various disciplines related to youth, research centers, and scientific societies, in addition to about 80,000 students at the youth age, studying in the University and its branches within and outside the city of Riyadh.

3.      It comprises a galaxy of national and international competent experts, specialists, consultants, in youth cultural, scientific, sports, psychological, social and health fields.

4.       The Center has coordinators and members in most governmental and private public and higher education institutions in the Kingdom.

5. The Center has an interactive website, containing abundant information on the youth in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, advanced databases containing scientific research, theses and government reports on youth topics, as well as those who are interested in the youth related issues.
6. There is a scientific library containing all that is written and published about young people, including the published scientific theses and research, governmental reports, books and audio and visual media.

There is a partnership and cooperation with government organizations, local and world associations, and similar research centers.

 

Objective

To conduct studies, research, measurements and questionnaires on youth-related social, psychological and behavioral issues, and make the required proposals and recommendations to improve the level of young people and address the problems they may face.

Goals:

1) Conduct studies and specialized scientific research in various youth issues, whether by specialists at the Centre or in collaboration with other specialist research organizations.

2) Monitor and study the youth social issues, phenomena and problems and their expected impact, and develop the required proposals and recommendations.

3) Conduct assessment research to identify the points of weakness and points of strength and make the required recommendations and practical and scientific solutions for them.

4) Conduct a study on a national youth project aiming to strengthen the aspects of the care needed for young people and how to deal with their issues.

5) Establish information and databases for everything related to youth in Saudi Arabia, updating them regularly and exchanging among all parties interested in

Means to achieve the goals:

1) Conduct advisory studies by various governmental and non-governmental organizations, each in its competence.

2)  Prepare strategic Studies on future plans and visions of youth issues and needs.

3)  Organize youth related conferences and scientific symposia and workshops.

4) Issue periodical scientific magazine specialized youth research, and awareness and prevention brochures and booklets on the issues of concern to young people.

5)  Prepare manuals and statistical reports for youth in cooperation with the relevant agencies.

6) Open channels of communication between the Centre and centers specialized in research to benefit youth from their expertise and experience at both Arab and international levels.

7) Coordinate training programs in the various areas of youth care, so that they can acquire special skills in the fields of their work.

8)  Develop a central information base for researchers and specialists in the areas of youth, and monitor, study and document everything published on youth and their various issues, including books, articles, research and information programs.

9)  Establish a library containing most important specialized scientific references and studies related to the Center’s areas of interest.

Headquarters:

King Saud University (KSU), Main Lobby, Third Floor (Building 17)

 

Organizational structure

The organizational structure of the National Centre for Youth Research consists of the Board of Directors, Secretary-General and his assistant, the Executive Committee and the organizational units.

Board of Directors

The Center’s Board of Directors will undertake its affairs and establish its policies. It comprises:

Executive Committee:

The Centre will be supervised by an executive committee, chaired by the Secretary-General of the Center and including five specialized members. The committee will undertake the following duties:

1)     Develop the required plans and programs and establish the practical mechanisms for the implementation of the centre competences.

2)     Examine the plans submitted by various departments of the Centre or by the relevant agencies and prepare them for concerned body.

3)     Organize the relationship between the Centre and the relevant institutions and the beneficiaries of its work.

4)     Prepare the draft budget and examine the financial and administrative reports to be referred to the concerned body.

5)     Recommend the rewards of the employees and lecturers in accordance with the approved financial instructions.

6)     Approve the reports and results of research, studies, meetings and other activities of the Center.

7)     Form one or more subcommittees to assist the Center in the implementation of its functions.

Administrative and Research Units

1. Social and awareness research units:

Its tasks include:

1)     Conduct studies and provide future visions on the youth social and development projects and programs.

2)     Study social change and its effects on young people, especially in light of rapid changes experienced by most societies.

3)     Evaluate youth experiences and programs.

4)     Carry out exploratory and analytical research and studies on various youth segments of the society.

5)     Examine social phenomena prevailing in the society and their impact on the young people, in terms of their spread, causes, advantages, disadvantages, and how to control them.

6)     Conduct research and studies required to rectify deviant thought and encourage spirit of belonging and loyalty to homeland.

2. Psychological and Developmental Research Unit

Its tasks include:

1)     Conduct the guiding research related to psychological services and assistance to achieve the best levels of development, social and self harmony for youth.

2)     Look after the research and studies covering the various aspects of the psychological issues for the benefit of the young people.

3)     Conduct research and studies related to the areas youth psychological guidance and counseling.

4)     Conduct research and studies on the various psychology areas associated with youth.

3.  Sports and Recreation Research Unit:

Its tasks include:

1)     Conduct research and studies related to sports, recreational, competitive sports activities "Levels Sport" for the young people.

2)     Study the problems that prevent young people from benefiting from various sports and recreational activities.

3)     Research and studies on the different sport and recreation areas associated with the youth category.

4)     Liaise with the educational and youth institutions specialized in sports to share expertise and experience and take part in the development of the Centre strategy and policy.

5)     Study stadiums and sports facilities all over the Kingdom, and propose new facilities to be established, and how to make the maximum utilization of them.

4. Public Opinion Trends Research Unit:

Its tasks include:

1)     Conduct research on the measurement of public opinion on issues concerning young people.

2)     Conduct studies to measure youth trends towards some social phenomena.

3)     Study some phenomena and developments and their implications on youth.

4)     Carry out predictive and futuristic measurements for issues related to of the young people.

5. IT Unit:

Its tasks include:

1)     Collect and monitor data and information, and prepare their statistical models.

2)     Prepare periodical statistical reports, including the various activities of the Centre.

3)     Collect, analyze and document statistical information and data for use in plans and programs development.

4)     Introduce modern technology in the administrative work to raise the efficiency of the work, support decision-making and planning at all managerial levels, and connect all organizational units into an information network.

5)     Supervise official website of the Centre.

6. Unit symposia and meetings:

Its tasks include:

1)     Organize conferences and symposia on youth affairs.

2)     Organize specialized lectures and workshops.

3)     Participate in youth conferences and seminars organized within and outside the Kingdom.

4)     Collect research and scientific studies and derive what can be used in developing the Centre's business, identifying the study elements and components in advance in coordination with the organizational departments and units.

7. Information and Publication Unit:

Its tasks include:

1)     Coordination with the international media to highlight the different activities of the Centre.

2)     Issue various press releases and media reports

3)     Issue specialized television programs on various events of the Center.

4)     Document media events in different methods.

5)     Oversee the various publications issued by the Centre.

6)     Coordinate with similar libraries and research centers with regard to gift and publications exchange.

7)     Represent the Centre in internal and external expositions and fairs.

8. Finance and Administration Unit:

Its tasks include:

1)     Organize, keep and document financial works relating to the Center.

2)     Conduct audit process according to the applicable rules and regulations.

3)     Apply payment procedures according to generally accepted accounting principles.

4)     Carry out the personnel affairs at the Centre.

5)     Organize the administrative communication.