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State and University in Egypt During the Period of Socialist Transformation, 1961–1967

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 August 2009

Extract

In Egypt, as in most developing countries, universities form part of the state system. The university is regarded as a government department. The Egyptian government not only appropriates money for higher education, but also controls the administrative structure of the universities and the higher institutes. Academic appointments as well as promotions and dismissals are in the hands of state officials. This kind of relationship dates back to 1925, when the Egyptian government “nationalized” and created what is now the University of Cairo. This development is closely related to the rise of Egyptian nationalism and the efforts of Egyptian leaders to achieve independence from British rule. Right from the beginning, the university was therefore conceived as an important instrument for the realization of national (political) goals.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © University of Notre Dame 1976

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References

1 Waardenburg, Jean-Jacques, Les Universitis dans le Monde Arabe Actuel, vol. 1 (Paris and the Hague, 1966), pp. 6061Google Scholar.

2 Awad, Louis, Al-Jami'a w'al-Mujtamal al-Jadid [The University and the New Society] (Cairo, 1963), p. 7Google Scholar.

3 Ibid., p. 28–29; Akhir Sa'a, No. 1638, 16 March 1966.

4 Taqrir Lajnat al-Ta'lim al-Jami'i lil-Ra'is, 1953. The committee, which was established before the revolution, was headed by Ali Maher and included such prominent members as: 'Abd al-Razzaq al-Sanhouiy, Ibrahim Madkour, Shafiq Ghorbal, and 'Abd al-Mun'im al-Sharqawi. Ahmad Lotfi al-Sayyid declined for health reasons. Al-Ahram,17 August 1953; Waardenburg, , Les Universités, pp. 6 and 48Google Scholar.

5 Al-Ahram, 1 February 1953.

6 Ibid., 11 April 1953.

7 Ibid., 17 August 1953.

8 Ibid., 22 April 1953.

9 Ibid., 26 August 1955.

10 Ibid., 2 May 1959.

11 Ibid., 31 August 1959.

12 Ibid., 17 October 1959.

13 Ibid., 7 November 1958.

14 Ibid., 29 December (1959).

15 Haykal, Muhammad Hassanayn, 'Azmat al-Muthaqqafin [The Crisis of the Intellectuals] (Cairo, 1961), pp. 1415Google Scholar.

16 Von Grunebaum, Gustav, Modern Islam (Berkeley, 1962), chapter 8Google Scholar.

17 Shumays, Adbul Mun'im, ed., Al-Tariq 'ila'l Dimuqratiyya [The Road to Democracy] (Cairo, 1962), pp. 3334Google Scholar, (being an abridged copy of the Records of Meetings of the Congress of Popular Forces). Cf. Kerr, Malcolm, “Egypt,” in Education and Political Development, ed. Coleman, James C. (Princeton, 1965), p. 194Google Scholar.

18 Al-Ahram, 6 November 1966.

19 A professor was accused of submitting a bill for lectures allegedly given on the Day of Ramadan, a holiday, Al-Ahram, 7 November 1966; cf. Awad, University and New Society, p. 140.

20 Al-Ahram, 6 November 1966.

21 Ibid., 22 April 1966.

22 Ibid., 30 March 1966.

23 Ibid., 28 September and 18 October 1966.

24 The National Charter (Cairo, n. d.), pp. 46, 73–74, 88–89.

25 Awad, University and New Society, p. 29.

26 United Arab Republic, National Assembly Records, Eleventh Meeting, First Legislative Assembly, Second Regular Session, 13 December 1964; United Arab Republic, Information Department, The Year Book 1963, pp. 107108Google Scholar.

27 National Assembly Records, Fifth Meeting, First Legislative Assembly, Second Regular Session, 23 November 1964; The National Charter, pp. 88–89.

28 Chairman of the Committee: Dr. Muhammad 'Abd al-Qadir Hatim, Deputy Premier for Culture, National Guidance and Tourism. Members: Muhammad Yusuf, Minister of Education; Muhammad Sidqi Suleiman, Minister of High Dam; Anwar M. A. Salamah, Minister of Justice; Dr. M. Labib Shuqayr, Minister of the Economy, External Trade and Planning; Dr. Husayn M. Sa'id, Minister of Higher Education.

29 Report of the Ministerial Manpower Committee on Educational Policy, (Cairo, 1965), p. 10Google Scholar.

30 Ibid., pp. 19–47. It was estimated that in a period of five years the theoretical colleges would, under the existing system, furnish 52,516 graduates, representing 250% of what the Development Plan called for, i. e., 21,500. In contrast, technical schools would in this same period graduate 8,200 representing 86% of the need (9,600). Centers for practical training would train 150,000 semiskilled workers, representing 35% of the need (434,000). Estimates further revealed a shortage of 139,000 skilled workers and technician aides and 213,000 technicians and 1,000 specialists and researchers. Cf. AtAhram 3–4 April 1966.

31 Al-Ahram, 28 and 29 April 1966. Cf. Awad, University and New Society, p. 128. Others supported the government on the grounds that part-time students are not serious.

32 Al-Ahram, 6 May 1966. Cf. Al-Ishtiraki, nos. 31 and 32.

33 Al-Ahram, 7 and 17 January 1967.

34 Ibid., 3 February 1967; Rose el-Yusuf, no. 2019, 20 February 1967.

35 In 1951, the Egyptian government made primary and secondary education free; in 1961, university education was made free by a presidential decree; see also 1964 Constitution, Article 39 and 1971 Constitution, Article 20.

36 Al-Ahram, 4 February 1967.

37 Rose el-Yusuf, no. 2019, 20 February 1967.

39 Al-Ahram, 6 May 1967.

41 Ibid., 24 February 1967.

42 Ibid., 9 May 1967.

43 Ibid., 24 February and 10 May 1967.

44 Ibid., 11 May 1967.

46 Ibid., 12 May 1967.

49 Ibid., 15 May 1967.

50 Hussein, Taha (Husayn), The Future of Culture in Egypt, tr. Glazer, Sidney (Washington, D. G., 1954), p. 127Google Scholar.

51 Al-Ahram, 2 December 1967.

52 Waardenburg, , Les Universités, p. 70Google Scholar.

53 Al-Nahar, 11 November 1966.

54 Al-Ahram, 1 July 1969.

55 Ibid., 3 February 1973; 16 November 1971; Al-Akhbar, 15 January 1972.

56 Al-Ahram, 3 October 1972.

57 According to the National Science Foundation in the United States, 764 Egyptian scientists, engineers and physicians, were admitted as immigrants in 1970; probably at least that many moved elsewhere, New York Times, 25 August 1971.