Abstract:
The aim of this research is to identify the leadership competencies which heads of departments at Ha’il University should possess, and the degree and importance of acquisition of these competencies, whether there are differences in statistical function of these competencies according to academic rank, experience, college variables. The researcher used the descriptive analytical methodology. A questionnaire was used to collect data. The sample consisted of (52) clauses distributed on six fields according to two dimensions: competencies acquisition and significance. The questionnaires were distributed to a sample of 24 head of department equal to 73% of the total population. The researcher came up with the following results: -The degree of possession of leadership competencies b the heads of departments was high but the degree of significance was very high. -There are no statistically significant differences among the subjects of the sample in terms of identifying the degree of acquisition of leadership competencies and their significance according to academic rank, practical experience, in all fields of research and dimensions. -There are statistically significant differences in the acquisition of leadership competencies by heads of departments according to college (scientific, literary) in favour of scientific colleges except for relationship competencies. In addition, these were no differences in the significance of leadership competencies in all held fields of research and dimensions. The researcher recommends to promote and enhance the potentials of heads of academic departments through training courses in higher academic leadership.