In a significant development, Algerian universities are currently conducting oral interviews for the second consecutive day as part of the hiring process for unemployed master’s and doctoral degree holders. The interviews are being held for candidates who had previously registered on the platform designated by the Ministry of Higher Education for this purpose.
This initiative follows the Ministry’s announcement on June 5th of a competition to employ 8,000 non-salaried master’s and doctoral degree holders in permanent positions as Assistant Professors (Rank B) and Research Professors (Rank B).
Abdelhafiz Milat, the National Coordinator of the National Council of Higher Education Professors Union, lauded the move, describing the opening of over 8,000 positions as an unprecedented milestone in the history of Algerian universities. He emphasized that the issue of unemployed professors has persisted for years and lamented the lack of objective solutions. He noted that the Ministry of Higher Education is actively seeking to address this long-standing problem comprehensively.
Regarding the current recruitment process, Milat expressed confidence that a vast majority of candidates would be employed, given the substantial number of openings that almost match the number of applicants, and sometimes even exceed them in certain specializations.
Milat further disclosed that the Ministry has formulated Plan B, which involves contracting unemployed professors with salaries and benefits equivalent to permanent professors if they are not successfully recruited through this competition. This arrangement aims to provide them with equitable working conditions while awaiting eventual permanent employment.
With respect to the ongoing recruitment process, Milat stressed that a definitive judgment on its progress could only be made after the conclusion of the interview procedures. Initial reports from various branches of the Council across universities indicate that the selection process is being conducted transparently and objectively.
Addressing the concerns of salaried doctors who were excluded from the current recruitment competition, Milat mentioned that he had met with their representatives at the national headquarters of the “Kanass” association on Monday. He acknowledged their worries and assured them of his commitment to convey their concerns to relevant authorities.
Looking ahead, Milat affirmed that the number of salaried doctors is estimated to range between 7,000 and a maximum of 10,000, a manageable figure for employing this segment. He also disclosed that the Ministry of Higher Education is actively planning to launch another competition shortly after the upcoming social entry, as it has already initiated communication with university institutions to assess their needs for this upcoming competition.
In conclusion, this ambitious effort to employ unemployed professors in Algerian universities reflects a concerted endeavor by the Ministry of Higher Education to address a longstanding issue. The recruitment process is being closely observed, and the prospects for the future seem promising as the nation’s academic landscape prepares for transformative changes.
