Universities in North Africa.

Today these ancient seats of learning are leading institutions for religious studies and Al-Azhar in Cairo is again seeking a leading role  in society following the fall of the Mubarak regime and the rise of the islamic parties. The disruption and disorder of the Arab Spring has inevitably affected modern universities in Egypt,Libya and Tunisia and students have played a leading role in the revolutions.

Prior to the Arab Spring the Arab Maghreb Union ( AMU) had been promoting inter university contacts in the Maghreb and in February 2010 a meeting in Rabat of the AMU of the  Maghreb Higher  Education Ministeral Council and Scientific Research Council agreed to create a website for all research centres in the region and to activate a union of Maghrebi universities. They also agreed to study the prospects for devoloping new technologies in the region. With the need to create renewable energies Morocco for example is seeking to train qualified engineers in clean and renewable energy. If the Desertec solar electricity project comes to fruitition it will make the Maghreb as a whole a world producer of energy which could be exported to Europe. Engineering and technical support would be essential.

Cooperation will also be aimed at enhancing the level of scientific research in all fields, facilitating exchange of experiences and programmes, and upgrading and developing higher education to address the needs of societies in the Maghreb.
 

  Another meeting held in Hammamet in 2011 concluded that academic degrees and quality assurance standards must be compatible throughout the Maghreb region. The Council called for gradually building a Maghreb academic arena that facilitates the transfer of students and teaching staff among universities and merges.

The meeting focused on academic exchanges, the unification of diplomas and a proposed Maghreb University and Maghreb Science Academy.No Maghreb institutions appear in the world's top 500 universities, according to a study from the Institute of Higher Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

Tunisia which has the most universities and technical colleges in the Maghreb also has 800,000 graduates coming on to the employment market annually and an unemployment rate of over 20 per cent and even higher for young people and graduates. The need to match courses being taught with jobs available has become acute and the  serious debt situation in Egypt ,Libya and Tunisia following the uprisings has added to the challenges facing university development  in North Africa.

To review the range of  universities available in North Africa is a mammoth task and  well beyond the scope of a short article. Lists of universities in each country are available  on the web and this article will how some universities in North Africa present their missions. One factor that comes up in discussions with students is that there is a perceived view that studying abroad  is preferable to a university education at home.

This is understandable and  it has to be borne in mind that when the colonial powers left North Africa in the late fifties they left behind countries with inadequate educational systems. Major efforts are ongoing throughout North Africa to boost education to world class levels.

The difference between national and international teaching critera  comes into sharp focus with institutions  such as the American University in Cairo (AUC). It is an English speaking  institution and chartered and accredited in the USA and Egypt. It declares an ambition to be an international university and  the leading university in the Middle East. It wants to be the destination of choice for students and faculty from around the world.

Courses are divided into Humanities and Social Sciences, Sciences and Engineering; and Business, Economics and Communications .There is a core curriculum and  the university currently has 25 departments and institutes offering undergraduate, masters and graduate diploma programs. It has some of the only professionally accredited programs in the region which include sciences and engineering qualifications and a business school. Great emphasis is put on research.There is a clear effort to balance the humanities with the  need for engineering and science qualifications.

Through AUC’s six schools and 30 undergraduate programs, AUC students  carry out independent research, join collaborative research projects with professors, pursue internships with local, national and international firms, as well as conduct fieldwork in their areas of study. AUC emphasizes liberal education and all undergraduate students study a common set of courses in the humanities and the natural and social sciences as part of the university's Core Curriculum. In addition, the university maintains its strong commitment to fostering understanding across world regions, cultures and religions.

Egyptian Universities include :

Cairo University.
Mansoura University
Ain Shams University,Abbassia.
Helwan University, Cairo.
Assuit University.
Zagazig University.
The German University in Cairo.
Al Azhar University, Cairo.
Tanta University,Tanta.
Minoufyia University, Shebin El Kom.
MISR University of Science and Technology, 6th October City.
South Valley University, Qena.
Minia University, El Minia.
October 6 University.
Benha University.
Fayoum University.
Alexandra University.
Misr International University, Cairo.
The British University in Egypt,  El Sherouk City.
Pharos University, Alexandria.
Sohag University, Nasser City.
Suez Canal University, Ismailia.
Kafr e Sheikh University,
Beni Suef University,
Nile University, 6 october City.
The French University in Egypt, El Shourouq City.
Future University Egypt, New Cairo.
Delta University of  Science and Technology, El Mansoura.
Modern Sciences  and Arts University, 6 October City.
Sinai University , Cairo.
Egyptian Russian University , Cairo.

A very different institution in Morocco is Al Akhawayn University in Irfane, founded by King Hassan  II  and King Fahd of Saudi Arabia, it redefines the classic American liberal arts educational experience based on the American system.  Al Akhawayn says it has an international common core program for all undergraduate students, providing the basis for a well-rounded global, Moroccan education. Rich academics, in English, encouraging choice and experimentation, in all schools and programs of study.

The University says that it enhances Morocco and engages the world through cutting-edge educational and research programs, including continuing and executive education,  it upholds the highest academic and ethical standards, and promotes equity and social responsibility. Set in a purpose built campus in Irfane , close to the Atlas Mountains it is an idyllic setting. Very much an elite establishment it holds influential international seminars and conferences .

The University of Cadi Ayad has  four campuses with 29,703 students and has eleven faculties in Marrakech,Essouaira, Kelaa of Sraghna  and Safi . Its curriculum covers science technology, business management and human and social sciences. It has the ambition to become a »world class university with state of the art  research and innovation and world recognition ».   It has internationally recognised laboratories which contribute substantially to research in Morocco. The university is reaching out internationally and looking for international partnerships. It has signed contracts with Japanese universities and has students studying there. CAU is the first university in Morocco to achieve ISO 900- 2008 which deals with customer expectations and satisfaction and the quality of management systems. It is aiming to provide high quality training programmes  for enterprises and innovation orientated research  as undergraduate employment is a top priority. It holds international conferences such as the International Conference on Water and Environment « WATIEC-2011 » in October 2011.

In 2010  King Mohammed VI initiated a four year plan to  upgrade Morocco’s educational facilities and part of this plan was to improve the quality and competivity of universities and  to double the number of engineering and science students by 2012. The plan has also aimed to increase the number of universities designated for research from 52 per cent in 2008 to 92 per cent by 2012. Morocco has committed itself to establishing a public and private world class  higher education system. Morocco now has about 25 universities,colleges and institutes engaged in higher education.

Amongst these is Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University (SMBAU) in Fez which is one of the largest and most important research teaching universities with four campuses , 61,000 students and  1,200 faculties with 700 staff. Itb içs a major centre for national research activities in fields of applied science and technology  in subjects such as  renewable and clean energy,water management, medicine and pharmeceuticals, public health, law , economics,
business management and  the humanities. It has 81 research laboratories and more that 240  reseach groups and 521 doctoral students. It has a strong presence of international students mainly from Africa  and continues the reputation of Fez as a cultural and academic centre.
 
Other Universities in Morocco include :

Mohammed V University in Soussi, Rabat
Abdelmalek Essadi University, Tetouan
Mohammed V University, Agdal Rabat,
Hassan II University , Mohammedia
The Hassan 1 University, Settat.
Ibn Tofail University , Kenitra.
Hassan II University, Casablanca.
Ibn Zhor University, Agadir.
Chouaib Doukkali University, El Jadida.
Mohammed the First University, Oujda.
HEC Maroc Fez.

Tunisia.

Tunis University is one of the main seats for higher education in Tunisia, its departments include a school of business, the department of literature and the humanities, a polytechnic institute and an architectural and design school.

It  has  113 degree  courses with 16 higher higher education and scientific research institutions with some 27,000 students and 1,895 lecturers. The university has four graduate schools , eight research laboratories, and thirty seven research units which have international collaborations.

Manouba University  (UMA) has seen some disruption recently because it banned the wearing of the veil in class and salafists organised protests. The students and some staff organised a sit in against the salafist protests illustrating some of the difficuties of the Arab Spring. Clases have now returned to normal. The  university has 14 instituitions and 26,138 students enrolled of which 60 per cent are women and 40 per cent men. There are  1,509 teaching staff. There are 119 foreign students. It has 61 post graduate students. A full range of degree courses are offered Including humanities, engineering, computer engineering,economics and management, science and technology, medicine and health studies and religion, social sciences and physical education.Manouba University has an active international programme and contacts.

UMA  yesterday welcomed a Belgian delegation from the Free University of Brussels( ULB) to sign a  Tunisian Belgian partnership  and cooperation agreement  covering academic and scientific research.The two universities will work in partnership on all issues related to science education by supporting the bilateral relationship between the two countries at the university level.UMA also signed a Tunisian Portugese  cooperation agreement with the  Camões Portugese Institute.

The Private University of  Tunis Carthage (UTC)  was founded in 2,000 having developed from the Ecole Superiuer de Gestion  (ESIG) and offres a full range of degree courses. UTC regrouped two high level eduction establishments the Carthage Business School and the Carthage  School of Science and Engineering. The university is in Skoura in an extensive park.

Recent  international partnership agreements include Riverside University of California and Vandebilt University of Tenessee. Accord were also signed with the Ecole Superieur de Paris and the University of Savoy. Architecture and Fine Arts  collaboration agreements were signed with the Ecole de Architecture de Paris, Ats Deco de Paris and L’Ecole de Beaux Arts de Paris.

Other Universities in Tunisia include:
The Central Private University, Tunis.
Tunis El Manar University, Tunis.
Sousse University, Sousse.
Sfax University, Sfax.
Monastir University, Monastir.
Ez Zitouna University, Tunis.
Gabès University,  Gabès.
Kairoun University,  Kairoun
Montplaisir Private University, Tunis.
Private University for Information Technology and Enterprise Management, Tunis.
Southern Mediterranean Private University, Tunis.
Gafsa University, Gafsa,
Jendouba University, Jendouba.
The International Private University of Tunis, Tunis.
The Free University of Tunis, Tunis.
Carthage University, Tunis.
Ecole Superieur of Administration and Management
The El Amel University for Higher Education, Ben Arous.
The Mediterranean Private University, Tunis.
Ibn Khaldoun Private University, Tunis.
Arts and Design Private University, Tunis.
Private International University of Health, Tunis.
Private International University for Business and Administration of Sfax.
The Free University of the South, Sfax.

Algeria.

Algeria has almost 900,000 university places and accomodation for 400,000 students.(ANDI).and almost 500 000 registered in professional training, more than 130 000 graduates per yearand  almost 80 000 graduates from professional training per year. (ANDI).

There are according to ANDI  60 universities (the first one is l’Université d’Alger”  was established in 1879), including 17 multidisciplinary located trough out 41 wilaya and structured into faculties and institutes to take in charge  of pedagogical, scientific and research activities. The Universities are structured into 136 faculties and 90 institutes.
Algiers University has 35,376 undergraduates and graduates studying at the University with 2,019  permanent teaching staff.The University has 14 laboratories with 371 researchers. The laboratories are all studying medical science apart form the laboratories dealing with the foundations of religion and the Sharia. Medical science courses years 1 to 7 of Medicine,Biochemistry,Law and Islamic Sciences.

The University of Abu Bekr Belkaid  (UAB)in Tlemcen . UAB is actively involved with the European Commission  Fund for Education and Training Tempus.

  Tempus funds two types of actions:
 Joint Projects: partnerships between higher education institutions in the EU and partner countries. They can develop, modernise and disseminate new curricula, teaching methods or materials, as well as boosting quality assurance and management of higher education institutions.

 Structural Measures: to develop and reform higher education institutions and systems in partner countries; to enhance their quality and relevance, and to increase convergence with EU developments.

 The University has also fostered links with other universities in the Arab Maghreb Union.

A pan-African university specialising in renewable energy and climate change research will open in September in Algeria, APS reported on Sunday (January 29th). Speaking in Tipasa during a conference on energy and water resources, education ministry official Mokhtar Sellami said the university would accommodate about 450 doctoral students from across the African continent (Magharebia).


Algerian Universities are facing  administrativbe problems and last year student protestors at several universities called for reform of the university system , the removal of corrupt university officials and the resignation of the minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The problems have lasted for several yeras and reports suggest their has been a policy of quantity over quality. The situation has worsened because  students  passing their baccalaureate have increased the numbers seeking a university education.. There is also very high graduate unemployment.

 La Tribune  of Algiers reported on the state of affairs at universities around the country  and  found considerable expansion but also instances of overcrowded or sub-standard student housing, inadequate or corrupt management, unsatisfactory transport - and some disruption during the introduction of the Bologna higher education structure.

At Tizi Ouzou, the Bologna process - known in French as LMD (licence-master-doctorate) for the three degree levels of three, five and eight years' higher studies - has been introduced for all university courses except medicine.

Enrolling for doctorates had become a "real obstacle course", said La Tribune, because of lack of high-level teachers, resources and facilities such as laboratories, and problems of validating results and degrees due to the new structure.

But students' biggest problems remained inadequate intercity transport and housing, said La Tribune. There was a lack of thousands of beds in student residences, despite construction of new housing blocks.

At the Centre Universitaire Akli-Mohand-Oulhadj de Bouira, the university was catering for 3,000 new students, and had introduced three new courses for freshers - in human sciences, history and philosophy; science and techniques of physical and sports education; and science and technology specialisation in electrical networks.

A new library would be built with capacity for 6,000 students, and under an expansion scheme which would increase the student population in the area to 22,000 by 2013, a new 55-hectare university sector would be constructed, reported La Tribune.

But students were currently experiencing "inadequate teaching resources" which had led to stoppages, said the paper. Meanwhile, a row that started over lack of bread in the university restaurant had resulted in a fight between students, broken windows and police intervention, despite the director going out to buy more bread.

The central problems seem to be student overcrowding and a lack of teaching equipment especially the internet. A computer system introduced by the Ministry of Education  in last year to decide university places for students has some say limited the chance of students studying their preferred course although the government stressed that 48 percent of students did obtain their preferred courses.

Algeria launched a $ 286 billion upgrade for infrastructure,education, housing, health care and other areas.

Algerian Universities include :
Houari Boumediène University of Science and Technology, Algiers.
Mentouri de Constantin University,Constantin.
Batna University, Batna.
Abdelhamid Ibn Badis Mostaganem.
Dillali Liabes University,  Sidi Bel Abbès.  
 Hassiba Ben Bouali University, Chlef
Saad Dahlab  University, Blida.
Oran University.
Oran Science and Technology University.
M’hamed Bougerra University, Boumerdès.
Badji Mokhtar University,Annaba.
Mouloud Mameri University, Tizi Ouzou.
Amar Telidji University,Laghouat.
Mohamed Khida University, Biskra.
Ferhat Abbas University , Sétif.
M’sila University.
Béijia University,
Kasdi Merbha University, Ouargla.
8 May 1945 University, Guelma.
Ibn Khaldoun University, Tiaret.
20 August 1955 University, Skikda.
Emir Abdelkader  University of Islamic Science, Constantin.
Jijel University.
Saida University.
Dr Yahya Fares University, Médéa.
Mascara University.
Tebessa University.
Larbi Ben Mhidi University, Oum El Bouaghi.
Ziane Achour University, Djelfa.
Adrar University.
Alger 2 University
Béchar University.