Higher education cancels licenses of new private universities

The Ministry of Higher Education has cancelled licenses for establishing new universities and colleges, due to the large number of schools—25 private universities and colleges—that are already in operation in the capital, stated a report issued by the Ministry of Higher Education.

The Ministry’s annual executive report for the President’s electoral program in 2008 pointed out that the ministry began rejecting requests for private universities and colleges, as well as courses and branches for these universities, both in the capital and in the governorates before they completed their final licensing requirements.

The report added that the ministry suspended all distance education programs that are carried out by private and public Yemeni universities.

The report went on to say that a specialized panel of seven experts decided—after a thorough evaluation of distance education programs—to halt all such programs throughout the entire country. They also decided to implement the decision of the Supreme Council for Education Committee, following the submission of its report, because of the failure of these universities to meet distance program requirements.

The higher education ministry also closed down 11 study programs in Yemeni universities because of labor market saturation within the fields that these programs are preparing students for. In addition, the ministry announced an increase in the evaluation, review and update of current educational programs by 20 percent, the reconsideration of the courses offered by some colleges, and the establishment of 46 new courses, 18 specifically designed to meet labor market requirements.

It also announced that they seek the support of the Dutch Government—in the form of 14 million euros of aid—in order to help establish 8 new educational courses at public universities, which will be designed to train students in order to meet labor market demands. The ministry is also seeking the support of the Dutch Government in the re-evaluation of 38 current educational courses at various public universities and in the creation of new terms and items in line with development needs.
 

The report also turned attention to the ministry’s follow up to private universities, asking that they finish establishing their infrastructures at a rate of no less than 30 percent, according to private universities’ law number 13 for 2005. The ministry is also considering restructuring the remaining 7-year period of the universities’ law by arranging lists of infrastructure and other required information, saying that some universities already submitted their required documents.
 

The report also explained that the ministry requires private universities and colleges to provide 30% of their own full-time faculty members.

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