Minutes of the Meeting of the Council of Deans and Department Heads

Wednesday, 27 May, 2009

A meeting of the Council of Deans extended to heads of Departments was held under the chairmanship of the President of the University of Algiers to address the following agenda:

--Examinations and deliberations

-- Issuing exam results through the web page

--Preparing the registration of new students

--The five- year University Development Plan

--Miscellaneous

The President of the University opened the meeting of the Council. After greeting the attendants, he addressed a number of issues, the most important of which were:

1. Exams and deliberations:

It was decided that June 15th would be he deadline for exams and deliberations in the various Faculties and Departments of the University of Algiers. Given the special circumstances currently experienced in the Faculty of Medicine the deadline for this Faculty was extended to July 20^th.

2. Publishing exam results :

It was decided to publish the results of deliberations on the web in order to ensure more transparency.

3. Ceremony to honour outstanding students :

It was decided that July 4^th would be the date for the ceremony in honour of the outstanding students of the university, i.e:

--the four highest ranking students of each department;

--the student ranking first in each short cycle specialty;

--the student ranking first among international students;

--the first four highest ranking in the LMD system;

--the best Magister memoir defended in each Faculty during the current academic year;

--the best Doctoral thesis defended in each Faculty during the current academic year.

4. Preparation of registration of new students and re-registration of already enrolled students:

It was decided to provide the needed human and material resources to address the next University homecoming, with the confirmation that pre-registration will be handled electronically.

In order to ensure the success of this important operation and capitalize on it, the President of the University presented a number of clarifications and guide- lines, as follows:

--With a view to opt for a student magnetic ID fitted with the most relevant tools and programs, the most efficacious technical specifications towards this selection should be adopted.

--The student's final registration should be achieved according to the method currently in use, while adding to this operation another possibility, namely, allowing the new students, if they so desire, to effect their final registration by internet.

--as part of the broadening of the means and spaces of communication to be made available to the students, the University of Algiers will start providing electronic addresses to its new students, which would make it possible to provide them automatically with all the information they require.

--generalizing WIFI as of this summer to embrace all Faculties and Faculty services.

The President of the University instructed the Secretary General of the University and the Deputy-President of the University in charge Pedagogy to meet with the secretary-generals of the four Faculties on the 3^rd of June in order to draw the program of final registrations.

5. A Scheme to develop a five-year Plan for the University of Algiers :

The President of the University informed the attendants that the ministerial authorities are working on major projects to develop the academic sector. In the wake of this move the University of Algiers will realize a number of projects, foremost among which:

--The creation of a Higher School of Information and Communication Sciences

-- The creation of a higher school of Political Science and International Relations

In regard to the project proposals submitted by the University of Algiers, the President of the University mentioned the most important, i.e.:

- The creation of a higher school of translation

- Establishing a new structure for the Faculty of Economics

- Establishing a new structure for the Institute of Archeology

- Transferring the Institute of Physical and Sports Education from Sidi Abdallah to Dely Ibrahim after the delivery of the structure of the Faculty of Economics

- Turning the Dergana extension into a complex of medical research laboratories once the new premises for the Faculty of Medicine are delivered

The attendants also put forward a number of suggestions, of which the following:

--building a foremost centre for the intensive teaching of languages

--establishing a new structural organization of the LMD regime at the level of the University of Algiers

--opening new departments and specialties in line with the new developments experienced by the Algerian society, such as training of trainers , IFRS, etc….

6. Miscellaneous

The President of the University finally summed up the main to be taken in stride:

· Before June 10^th the debate concerning proposals on the projects relative to the five-year plan for the development of the University must be completed by the administrative councils of the Faculties;

· It is necessary to submit constructive proposals on how to enrich academic performance in the area of criteria for the recruitment of teaching assistants as well as for selecting Magister students.

· The strike called upon by the Teachers' Trade Union Council ("CNES") is unlawful as the Administration has not received any legal document on the subject.

· The Deans of Faculties and Heads of Departments are to advise the University administration on a regular basis of all the moves having to do with the strike , and this, as provided for by the law, through the administrative ladder, the administration being the only channel through which contact may be established with the supreme authorities and the services concerned.

· Any authority within the University is to advise the University administration as soon as possible of any emergency, problem, or issue arising.