HIGHER EDUCATION IN EGYPT I. Overall description II. Current challenges and needs – Trends and challenges – The Bologna Process III. Participation in EU programmes – Tempus – Erasmus Mundus IV. Bibliographical references and websites 1 The higher education system in Egypt 2 I. Overall description policy of higher education expansion and 1. Major characteristics of started opening university branches across the tertiary education in the country, which were transformed into country independent universities afterwards. For was (جامعة المنيا) example: Al-Minya University جامعة ) Higher education in Egypt dates back to the former branch of Assiut University This policy of creating branches in .(أسيوط AD from the creation of Al-Azhar 988 various geographical areas which would .(الفاطميين) by the Fatimids (جامعة اﻷزھر) University It is considered to be the world’s oldest eventually become independent universities is university still operating. Al-Azhar University still in practice today. It merges different conferred academic degrees and had individual faculties and technical colleges (mainly faculties for Islamic Theology, Islamic Law and technical studies of 4 years leading to a degree Jurisprudence, Arabic Grammar, Islamic or a B.Sc.) in a single university. Astronomy and Early Islamic Philosophy. Types of tertiary education programmes and qualifications The growth of an educated class of Egyptians inspired a group of Egyptian leaders and Higher Education in Egypt is preceded by 12 distinguished persons to donate and found the years of formal education in schools ending first National Egyptian University in 1908 in with a general exam that is similar to that of High School Graduation Exam in many جامعة ) Egypt, later known as Cairo University As a private institution it had a liberal countries. This exam is called Emtehan .(القاھرة The .(إمتحان الثانوية العامة) arts focus, offering courses in economics, Thanaweyya al-Amma philosophy, history and literature, mainly exam is national and allows students to move taught by European teachers of Oriental from secondary to higher education, or to Studies. This university was supported by the continue in technical and vocational education. Khedive Abass (the Egyptian King) who nominated his son, Fouad I, as the university Two main paths are available for students after president. Later, in 1940, the university was passing their final Secondary School exam, renamed Fouad I University. either to continue to university education (either public or private) or to enrol in Another phase of higher education started in vocational training institutes (two to four years 1919, when a group of Americans who were of study). The period of study in Egyptian interested in spreading American culture in the universities is standardised in all universities Middle East founded the American University in as being between four years (for most faculties Cairo as an English-language university. and studies), five years (for engineering studies) and six years (for medical studies). As belief in the importance of higher education Such periods of studies are regulated by the grew, the government established two other Supreme Council of Universities and the universities in Alexandria in 1942 and in Cairo Supreme Council of Private Universities, which (Ain Shams) in 1950. This was also a response are the two main executive bodies under the to meeting the increase of secondary education Ministry of Higher Education, which governs graduates. the system of Higher Education in Egypt. These movements continued on a wider scale Postgraduate studies are allowed only for after the 1952 revolution, when the education university degree holders and are composed system became a fully social system. This was mainly of two cycles and degrees: clearly enshrined in a constitutional amendment, which stated that all Egyptians - Master Cycle (degree) consisting of at least should be given the possibility to access higher two years of postgraduate studies; education. The socialist framework was clearly reflected in the education system because of - Doctorate Cycle (degree) consisting of at its centralisation. There was a significant least two years of studies after a Master growth in enrolment. This concept was even degree. extended to other Arab, Muslim and African countries where Egypt, despite its economic Types of tertiary education limitations, offered scholarships to thousands institutions of students in these countries. In return, this allowed Egypt to play a crucial role in the In 1992, Law 101 opened the door for more development of these countries. private universities, in addition to the long- established American University in Cairo. As a The expansion of higher education in Egypt result, new education providers have appeared began in 1957. Until then, there had been five and encouraged new types of institutions to public universities in Egypt. By the beginning emerge. of the 1960s, the government had adopted a The higher education system in Egypt has 22 3 public universities including Al-Azhar University has its own “Central Administration University, 33 private universities and 51 of Al-Azhar Institutes”. public non-university higher education technical Institutes and colleges. Of the 51 Although the system is mainly centralised and non-university institutes, 47 are two-year governed by the Ministry and its Higher upper secondary-level technical institutes Councils, universities still enjoy a high level of (MTI) and four are 4-5-year higher education- decentralisation in terms of the authorities, level technical colleges. (Among the public 22 regulations, community service, and to some universities, two of them will start teaching in extent in their financing and fund raising. A 2012-2013 after issuing a presidential decree university may therefore choose to develop a of creation by July 2012). specialisation in an area of local need (Petroleum Engineering or Tropical Medicine), Number of HEI but such courses have to comply with the (in academic year 2011/2012) general rule as to the number of years of study. 106 Public non- Public Private The executive bodies mentioned above are university responsible for insuring a complete level of 22 33 51 harmonisation between degrees offered at various universities and a level of harmonisation in courses taught at various Number of students universities, while giving some freedom of (in academic year 2009/2010) adaptation of courses for local, regional or specific needs. 2.01 million For example, in order to create a new faculty, a university has to submit a complete set of 2. Distribution of courses and their syllabus to the relevant Council which insures that the years of study, responsibilities number of hours and courses taught are in line with the whole system before issuing an The main regulating body in Egypt is the approval for the creation of such a faculty. Ministry of Higher Education, which is responsible for setting higher education policy Within the Higher Education Enhancement Plan and insuring its implementation in the various 2021, more autonomy is sought for public universities. It is in charge of higher education universities, especially in terms of financial and supervises and coordinates all post- autonomy and community services. secondary education, its planning, policy formulation, and quality control. It also 3. Governing bodies of the oversees teacher training for secondary education. Higher Education Institutions The Ministry is aided by three executive The Supreme Council of Universities (SCU), bodies: mentioned above, is composed of the presidents of the public universities in addition - The Supreme Council of Universities to five members from the civil society and is (composed of the presidents of the public coordinated by a secretary-general and chaired universities, in addition to five members by the Minister of Higher Education. The main from the civil society), founded in 1950, roles of the SCU according to the Egyptian law formulates the overall policy of university are to: education and scientific research in universities and determines the number of 1. Set out the general policy for Higher students to be admitted to each faculty in Education in Egypt and link it to the each university. needs of Egypt 2. Set up a general coordination policy - The Supreme Council of Private between universities with respect to Universities (composed of the presidents of study periods, exams etc. the private universities, in addition to some 3. Coordinate between equivalent faculties public figures and civil society and departments at different universities representatives). 4. Set up the internal by-laws of the universities and their faculties. - The Supreme Council of Technical Institutes (composed of the chairmen of The SCU is the public body responsible for the technical institutes in addition to public accreditation of the new universities and/or figures from the civil society). programs. It also includes a department of equivalence for equating any foreign certificate In addition to these three Councils attached to from a non-Egyptian University. the Ministry of Higher Education, Al-Azhar 4 In parallel to the SCU, there is also a Supreme postgraduate studies and research, and Council of Private Universities and a Supreme presided by the vice president for Council of Technical Institutes for coordination postgraduate studies), and between private universities. Each of them has - a council for the environment and community a Secretary-general and is presided