As the new academic year approaches, the University of Mouloud Mammeri in Tizi-Ouzou, Algeria, is gearing up to welcome around 10,200 students. According to Pr Ahmed Tessa, the university's rector, preparations are underway to ensure a smooth start. The university has seen 9,800 new high school graduates enroll, with some students transferring to other universities and others joining from different regions. The university is optimistic about the upcoming academic year, expecting numbers to be similar to the previous year.
The university has made significant investments in infrastructure, with 2,700 new teaching spaces added in 2019, in addition to 4,500 from 2016. More than 10,000 teaching spaces are currently under construction, expected to be completed within two years. The university is also working on a new medical faculty project, which will require relocating some students to facilitate reconstruction on the same site. However, the university still faces challenges, including a shortage of teachers in certain faculties.
Faculties such as law, science, construction engineering, and civil engineering are struggling with a lack of teachers. The humanities faculty faces instability due to teachers being temporarily assigned and often requesting transfers due to housing issues. In contrast, the economics faculty is relatively stable but has a surplus of students. The English department also faces a shortage of teachers, but budget constraints limit the creation of new positions.
The university has made efforts to address the backlog of academic modules from previous years. Pr Tessa emphasized that no module will be validated without meeting the minimum pedagogical requirements of 10-12 sessions. Some faculties, including medicine, law, and letters, have made significant progress, while others, like construction engineering, may experience delays until the end of October.
The university's financial situation has improved, with a budget of 6.7 billion dinars, 6.1 billion of which covers operating costs, primarily salaries. Although the university still faces financial constraints, the rector expressed satisfaction with the current situation. The university has managed to complete several projects, including the renovation of the rectorate and the restoration of the auditorium.
Security measures have been implemented to address concerns about student safety on campus. With 65,000 students and staff, the university has experienced a few incidents, some of which were allegedly provoked by external factors. To address this, the university has established mobile brigades to patrol the campus and is working with student committees to promote awareness and cooperation.
The introduction of English language instruction in higher education has been a topic of discussion, but Pr Tessa stated that the university has not received any official directives on the matter. The university is focused on addressing its current challenges and improving the academic experience for its students. With a renewed focus on collaboration and student engagement, the university aims to provide a better learning environment for its growing student body.
Key points
- The University of Tizi-Ouzou expects 10,200 students for the new academic year, with new infrastructure and security measures in place.
- The university faces challenges, including teacher shortages in certain faculties and a backlog of academic modules.
- The university's financial situation has improved, with a budget of 6.7 billion dinars.
