Private universities' situation discussed

SANA'A, April 11 (Saba) - The Supreme
Council of Universities discussed here on Sunday a report on the situation of the
private universities
and colleges their commitment to the criteria and conditions defined by the
applicable law of private universities.
In light of discussion of the report submitted by Minister of Higher Education and
Scientific Research, the council approved to give two months for the universities
that
do not meet the required criteria and conditions to correct their situations, unless
the ministry would withdrew their primary licenses and stop their activities.
In this regard, the council reiterated its previous decision on stopping activity
of the University of Applicable Sciences, stressing not to grant any licenses for
establishing
new private universities.
A joint committee was formed by the council from the Ministry of Higher Education
and Scientific Research and public and private universities to review the current
law of
the private universities so as to confirm the vital role of these universities to
contribute to serve the reality of higher education in Yemen.
Furthermore, the council stressed the continuation of the decision of stopping the
distance education until the formation of all potentials in this field.
The council approved the plan of acceptance and capacity in the public universities
for 2010-2011 at a total of 62,171 students, distributed in various colleges, by an
increase
of 2 percent from the current academic year, 2009-2010.
The council pointed out that the number of students accepted in the public
universities in the current academic year 2009-2010 amounted to 44,242 students
out of the total
capacity approved by the council, which is 60,795 students.
Meanwhile, the council noted that the number of students actually accepted in the
private universities for the current year was 15,668 students out of the approved
capacity,
which amounts to 34,021 students, by a ratio of 54 percent.
In addition to, the council discussed the situation of medical and health sciences
and engineering faculties in the public universities and the requirements of
development
in the physical and technical aspects in those faculties.
In this respect, the council endorsed 60 percent of allocations of the parallel
education (an education system in which students attend the same public
universities but
in afternoon shift and pay extra duties for that) for the development of those
colleges and providing them with the necessary teaching aids and equipments.
The council also stressed the universities' obligation to apply the regulations
issued by the Ministry of Higher Education on the subject of fellowship "Board." BA