On October 1, 2026, Dr. Sitack Yombatina, Minister of Higher Education, Research, and Professional Training, held a press conference at his office to discuss the start of the 2026-2027 academic year in Chad. The new academic year is under the theme "DESIR," which stands for Discipline, Excellence, Solidarity, Innovation, and Research.
According to the minister, Chad has 13 public universities with 102,055 students and 1,724 teachers. Additionally, there are 75 private higher education institutions, with 46 in N'Djamena and 29 in the provinces, hosting over 26,000 students, including 10,754 girls. The country also has six national higher schools with 127 teachers and 2,466 students.
Dr. Yombatina emphasized that universities should not only focus on transmitting knowledge but also on educating students about citizenship. He urged students, teachers, and administrative staff to adopt discipline, rigor, respect, and responsibility as daily values. The minister highlighted that discipline is crucial for academic success and should be a guiding principle for the new academic year.
During his six months in office, Dr. Yombatina has traveled to several regions of Chad, meeting with stakeholders in the education sector. These consultations led to a three-day conference in N'Djamena to revitalize technical and vocational training. The Ministry also announced the renewal of scientific and technical partnerships with several countries, including Algeria, Morocco, Turkey, Egypt, Hungary, France, and China.
The minister reported several achievements, including 273 scholarships awarded under the PRODEST program to enhance the capacities of teacher-researchers. Over 450 scholarships were also granted to top high school graduates to study in Morocco. Furthermore, over 400 students will soon join universities in Algeria to pursue their studies.
For the 2026-2027 academic year, the Ministry will focus on innovation, solidarity, internationalization, student success, and maintaining a normal academic year. The transition to digital tools in universities and the integration of environmental concerns into the functioning of institutions are also priorities.
Dr. Yombatina called for collective mobilization around education, stressing that transforming the education system requires the involvement of all stakeholders, including parents, citizens, teachers, students, and partners. He encouraged teachers to innovate and produce scientific research, while urging students to be curious, persevering, and disciplined.
Key points
- Dr. Sitack Yombatina outlines plans for the 2026-2027 academic year in Chad, emphasizing discipline, excellence, solidarity, innovation, and research.
- The Ministry of Higher Education aims to strengthen the quality of education and promote innovation and research.
- Dr. Yombatina calls for collective mobilization around education, involving all stakeholders in transforming the education system.
