The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the Student Front for the Defence of Rights and Gains have reached an agreement on a number of student demands, covering a review of grant eligibility criteria, expanded university housing and more places in university programmes, as well as resolving the situation of some expelled students.
The Front announced the details of the agreement at a press conference held at the University of Nouakchott, following negotiations with the committee representing the ministry, which led to a set of measures aimed at addressing issues that had been the subject of student demands.
On grants, the agreement provides for the ministry to receive the files of students who meet the conditions for inclusion in the social register but have not yet been registered, with a view to forwarding them to the "Taazour" delegation before the end of December, so that their situation can be verified and their data registration completed.
It was also decided to include the top ten students in each speciality at the various higher education institutions among the beneficiaries of the academic excellence criterion, and to extend grants to all non-employed doctoral students during the first three years of their enrolment, and the fourth year for those granted permission to do so. The agreement also creates an annual financial allowance for students without grants.
On university housing, the two sides agreed to renovate, equip and furnish the old university housing at institutions located in the centre of the capital, with the end of this year set as the deadline for completing the work, in order to improve students' living conditions.
The agreement also extends exceptional access to housing during the current academic year to students admitted under the new criteria via the online platform, as well as to those who received housing last year and still meet the required conditions.
On the academic side, it was decided to increase first-year master's capacity by 600 additional places at higher education institutions in the country and abroad, starting from the 2027-2028 academic year, and to expand the range of programmes at the various university institutions.
The two sides also agreed to open reorientation for one week to those who passed this year's second baccalaureate session and to students repeating the first year of the bachelor's degree, in accordance with the procedures in force, and to involve student representatives in setting the criteria for grants, orientation and reorientation at home and abroad.
On academic sanctions, the minutes provide for an exceptional review of expulsion decisions against students in the final year of the bachelor's and master's cycles, allowing their situation to be regularised under rules that take fairness and leniency into account, and for the files of expelled students at other levels to be examined using the same approach.
As for relations with student unions, the committee said the ministry will instruct heads of higher education institutions to strengthen communication with them and respond positively to their demands, as partners in decisions on university life and the development of the higher education system.
The Student Front for the Defence of Rights and Gains brings together four union organisations: the National Union of Mauritanian Students, the General Union of Mauritanian Students, the National Union of Students of Mauritania and the National Association of Mauritanian Students.
