A PROPOSAL FOR RE-ENGINEERING ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSES IN SAUDI UNIVERSITIES TO COPE WITH CRISES: AN EXPERIENCE OF PRINCE SATTAM BIN ABDULAZIZ UNIVERSITY WITH CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

Humanity is susceptible to natural and non-natural catastrophes and calamities. They influence human survival at financial, societal, and educational levels. Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic is one of the most severe natural crises. It affects humans according to their immunity and may end in death. As it spreads from gathering, it has severely affected many aspects of life including the educational sector. With this backdrop, this study aimed at investigating the preparedness level of Saudi universities in responding to this difficult situation. It focused on Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University (PSAU) from an administrative perspective to deal with the crisis. To achieve this aim, this research study was initiated by revealing the reality of crisis management at the university and considering the re-engineering of administrative processes. A descriptive-analytical approach was used. A questionnaire was used as a tool for data collection. The sample of the study consisted of administrative leadership at the university. It was found that there was a high-degree possibility of the reality of crisis management at PUAS to address emergency crises (Covid-19 as a model). However, the university suffered from some obstacles that might weaken its ability to respond to the crisis, necessitating establishing a particular unit for crisis management. It emphasized the prediction of future crises considering the available data and information to facilitate administrative work during the time of crisis.