Algerian president Bouteflika opposes private universities: Minister says

Higher studies and scientific research minister, Rachi Haraoubia yesterday denied any attempt to privatize universities stressing the fact that the prospects of the sector aim to reach 2 million university students by 2010.

Higher studies and scientific research minister, Rachi Haraoubia yesterday denied any attempt to privatize universities stressing the fact that the prospects of the sector aim to reach 2 million university students by 2010.

In this respect, the minister inveighed against skeptical who predicted the failure of the new system known as “LMD” and some attempts to oppose the implementation of this system.

He insisted on the importance of this new system so as to make the Algerian degrees tally with the international ones, adding that 80% of universities scholarships require “LMD” graduates.

M Haroubia went on saying that a series of seminars are set to be organized as from April 5th in various universities and institutions to make assessments and conduct surveys to single out failures and irrelevancies.

The minister asserted that these measures were the first of their kind since 35 years mentioning the importance giving by the government to high performance and skillfulness either on the pedagogical or human side.

As to the privatization of the sector, the minister has formerly denied the issue saying that the Algerian president Abdelaziz Bouteflika , has already expressed his view on the matter and declared that there will be no privatization so as to make it possible for all social classes to get to the university.