The Department of State is offering the Algerian University Linkage Program to strengthen higher education and foster mutual understanding.

The Department of State Bureau for Near Eastern Affairs and Embassy Algiers announce an open competition for proposals to expand University Linkage programming (ULP) in Algeria. The program encourages mutual understanding and educational improvements through cooperation in higher education.

The Public Affairs Section of Embassy Algiers (PAS) seeks an implementing partner to manage the University Linkages between two to three U.S. universities and two to three Algerian universities. PAS Algiers, in consultation with the Algerian Ministry of National Education, will identify two to three Algerian universities that are in areas where we would like to have more outreach. The U.S. University partners will be identified by the implementing organization to meet the needs of the Algerian universities in this ULP.

Background:
While Algeria enjoyed a long and proud tradition in higher education, war and civil unrest have weakened the educational institutions in Algeria. The Government of Algeria (GoA) recognizes that challenges remain ahead and is committed to strengthening its education system. Algerian policy-makers, administrators, faculty and students view linkages with the West, particularly the U.S., as a key way to expedite the process of strengthening the higher education system.

The ULP will directly support the Embassy’s Mission Strategic Resource Plan Goals of helping strengthen local institutions and providing Algerian youth with brighter prospects for their future to decrease the allure of terrorist organizations looking to recruit in the region.

This ULP will assist Algerians with curriculum review of certain subject matters, introduce them to the latest teaching techniques and educational technologies (including on-line courses and DVC instruction ), include some highly selective faculty/student exchanges, and will maximize connections between the public, private and academic sectors in Algeria to better serve its academic and public constituencies. Part of the linkage will be helping the Algerian partners establish career centers based on an American model. Ultimately, this project will provide Algerian youth with a better education which will in turn make the lure of extremist organizations less appealing.

Through discussions with senior policy-makers at the Ministry of Higher Education and presidents of leading universities, PAS Algiers staff have identified the following five areas as most helpful for this ULP. This list is intended to guide bidding institutions in their conceptualization of their proposals:

1. English Language: Algerians see English as a tool that will help them be competitive globally and are serious about training their students and developing a cadre of teachers who can assist in making English a more commonly used language nationwide.

2. Curriculum Review: Algerian officials readily acknowledge that the teaching curriculum for virtually all academic departments needs to be reviewed and revised. In addition to revising the content of courses and updating degree requirements, the curriculum review process will also include recommendations for rebuilding library and research collections in specific academic fields.

3. Real-time Instruction via DVC: Algerian administrators, faculty and students are extremely interested in creating opportunities for Algerian and U.S. students to be connected via DVC technologies.

4. Faculty, Staff and Student Exchanges: On a highly selective basis, this cooperative agreement will support carefully defined short-term exchanges of faculty, staff and students between the Algerian and U.S. universities. The exchanges will be focused specifically on the objectives of the project and should not duplicate other exchange programs.

5. Career Development Center: There is currently a gap between the academic and private sector communities in Algiers. Algerian universities are looking to the U.S. for expertise in creating university career development centers which can develop linkages with the private sector to help ensure a successful transition between the university and the workplace (potentially reducing unemployment) and offer soft skills workshops (i.e. on drafting a resume, preparing for a job interview, etc). The centers would also assist faculty and students seeking to develop proposals for funding and alumni who may require guidance on employment or academic programs years after they graduate.
PAS Algiers envisions that each university linkage will be designed to two to three academic disciplines per linkage. This list is not intended to limit the recommendations of bidding organizations but is intended to highlight already expressed Algerian interests:

• English
• Education
• Business Administration and Project Management
• Information Technology
• Petroleum Sciences and Engineering

Impact:
This project also will promote mutual understanding and increase cultural understanding between the U.S. and Algeria. Although Algerians believe they know the U.S. well, their understanding of complex U.S. political, social and cultural landscape is often superficial. The same may be said of the depth of understanding of Algeria and Algerians in the U.S. By promoting substantive and long-term connections between U.S. and Algerian universities, this project will inevitably build greater and deeper understanding in both communities and will benefit the strategic relationship between the two countries.

The impact of the project in Algeria will go beyond its influence on the academic community. The higher education system has the potential to be an important pillar in the process of strengthening civil society in Algeria. The higher education system can contribute to resolving the country’s social and economic problems and promote respect for human rights and democratic principles.