Attendees:
· Delegation from Higher Education Ministry:

• Pr. Amirat Zaina, Pr. Boukebbous Saddoun, Pr. Dahmani Yasmina, Pr. Salem Abdelaziz

· Algerian Consul and representative from Algerian Embassy
· ACA representatives
· Other Algerian professional in UK
· ~80 Ph.D. students

The Agenda included:

13.00 Opening
13.05 Presentation by member of delegation
13.30 Q&A
14.40 Presentation of ACA
15.00 Break
15.30 Meeting with Algerian Competences in UK
16.00 Evaluation of Students by groups based on specialty
18.00 Close
18.45 Dinner: Consul and representative from Embassy Delegation+ ACA representative and Algerian professionals

Summary of proceedings

The participants (ACA reps, Algerian professionals and students) welcomed the initiative as it was the first of its kind in offering the opportunity to students to express their concerns, needs and issues. We all thank Mr. Consul and the Algerian Embassy for organizing such a meeting and inviting us to attend.

The Algerian delegation started by explaining that there are several delegations currently visiting a number of European countries with the view to understand the needs of students and Algerian professionals and encourage them to return to Algeria ASAP to contribute to the development of the country. The speakers highlighted the point that there have been several changes to the higher education system in Algeria that is now more flexible, less bureaucratic and closer to the needs of lecturers and students. They also highlighted that the incentives have increased for people working in HE.

Points debated
The following issues were discussed:

1. What Algeria can afford for the return of the students in terms of integrating them easily into the system. Most of the students have had no links with any Algerian Universities since they left for the UK.

2. The language barrier: especially for those pursuing medical and pharmacy studies. Students were wondering whether there would be the flexibility for them to teach in English. This issue was compounded by the fact that none of the delegation members demonstrated the ability to communicate in English (despite their very liberal use of French both formally and informally)

3. Degree “Equivalence”. The delegation clarified that the UK Ph.D. degree is equivalent to the Algerian Doctorate. In the new Algerian system there is only one Doctorate degree namely the “Doctorate of higher Education”. The old system with its ‘Doctorat d’Etat’ and ‘Doctorat of troisiemme cycle’ no longer applies. In addition the number of years working abroad would be recognized in the Algerian system as ‘years of experience’. But the main concern was regarding the Master degree as the Algerian system does not recognize the Master degree of UK as equivalent to the Algerian Master. According to the recent regulations, the UK Master graduate needs to study for another year to achieve equivalence. This matter was heavily debated particularly since the presenters did not say a lot about the difference in value between a degree obtained in the UK or Algeria. All the attendees asked the delegation to convey their concern to the Ministry.

4. One of the most important concerns that the students have raised, is that they do not have mentoring support during their studies. The students asked to have a permanent committee or body with whom they could consult regarding various issues (including choosing the school, the project for their Ph.D., career concern and others).

5. When ACA was presented, the students felt that it can provide them with the structure needed to help them excel in their studies. Pr. Haddad and Hadri from Cardiff, Pr. Lebcir from London and others also volunteered to give help as much as possible. However these attendees also advised on the need of mutual agreements (e.g. in the form of Memorandum of Understanding) between their respective universities and the Ministry of Higher Education.

6. All the attendees including the delegation insisted on having a joint committee representing Algerian experts from inside and outside the country to provide a framework for following up the students’ progress and guiding/supporting them throughout their studies. This idea was welcomed as the committee would act as a bridge for collaboration between UK and Algeria