Introducing Quality Assurance in Algerian Higher Education: The Case of the University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene

Abstract

During the recent years, the Algerian Ministry of Higher Education (MESRS) has come to the conclusion that there is an acute need for the introduction of Quality Assurance in the entire Algerian Higher Education sector. A national committee was formed to plan for this and prepare a national QA framework to be customised by the various universities and “Grandes Ecoles” in the country according to their own characteristics.

This chapter will start by highlighting the need for QA in the Algerian universities. We will then introduce the efforts spent by the MESRS on setting the ground for the introduction of QA and making it mandatory on all HE institutions in Algeria. The main sections of the national QA framework will then be explained. These are: (1) Teaching; (2) Research; (3) Governance; (4) Infrastructures; (5) Life on Campus; (6) Relations with the Socio-Economic Environment; and (7) International cooperation.

As a case study, we will present the institutional Self Evaluation task force which we have chaired during the Spring Semester of 2017 at the University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene (USTHB), probably the most important science and technology university in Algeria with 8 sizeable colleges and more than 41,000 students. We will discuss the challenge of organising Self Evaluation for a university of this size and the hurdles met, as well as encouraging promises. Finally, we will highlight the key findings from the Self Evaluation Report as well as some return of experience from the evaluation.