Sétif Adds National Higher School of Optics and Engineering
An executive decree has formally established the National Higher School of Optics and Engineering in Sétif, significantly expanding the region's higher education infrastructure. Published in Official Gazette No. 69 for 2026, Executive Decree No. 26-05, dated September 22, 2026, brings into existence this new institution, a development anticipated for some time. Its creation elevates the status of the former Institute of Optics and Precision Mechanics, which was originally established in 1978 as part of Ferhat Abbas University Sétif-1.
The upgrade of the Institute of Optics and Precision Mechanics into a national higher school reflects a strategic commitment to specialized training and advanced technical education. The original institute was founded in partnership with Germany's Jena and Ilmenau universities, with an aim to facilitate the establishment of a local branch for the German optical equipment manufacturer Carl Zeiss in Algeria. This long-term vision for industrial collaboration and skill development underpins the new school's mission.
With the establishment of the National Higher School of Optics and Engineering, the wilaya of Sétif now boasts four distinct university institutions. These include Ferhat Abbas University Sétif-1, Mohamed Lamine Debaghine University Sétif-2, the Advanced Teacher Training College Massoud Zeggar El Eulma, and the newly formed National Higher School. This expansion underscores Algeria's continued investment in human capital and the diversification of its academic offerings.
