Freedom and Reform at Egypt's Universities

Résumé du livre

"Underfunded, understaffed, and suffering from opaque governance and political repression, the public higher education system that Egypt's new civilian government inherited from the Mubarak era is deeply flawed. Yet change in this area has stopped far short of a revolution. Higher education reform has not been a priority during Egypt's tumultuous transition. A few dramatic improvements took place at universities -- free elections for student unions and administrative positions were held, and the hold of police and intelligence services on campuses was broken. But the status quo remains largely intact. Many incumbent administrators were reelected and although the police and security forces are no longer directly intervening in campus affairs, they are still monitoring them. Plans to replace the restrictive law governing universities, as well as student bylaws, have also stalled in the face of instability and conflict between Islamist and secular forces. Egypt must undertake a number of fundamental and difficult reforms to improve its overburdened, under performing public university system. This is necessary for addressing the aspirations and tapping the potential of young Egyptians"--Page 1.