Algerian Embassy observes National Students Day in Accra

The Algerian Embassy in Ghana observed National Students Day in Algeria, highlighting the significance of education in the country’s transformation since independence. 

The annual celebration, observed on May 19 each year, was held at the residence of the Algerian Ambassador in Accra in recognition of the bravery of Algerian students in the country’s revolution and struggle for freedom, which culminated in the country’s independence in 1962.

It underscored Algeria's commitment to nurturing academic excellence and its contribution to the country’s development over the years.  

The day also affirmed the crucial role education plays in shaping the future of individuals and nations.

The event was attended by members of the Association of Ghanaian Students in Algeria Alumni (AGSA Alumni) on scholarship and the Algerian community in Ghana.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Algerian Ambassador to Ghana, Mourad Louhaidia, said education was a vital component of Algeria's development strategy, and the country had made significant strides in providing accessible and quality education to its citizens.

He indicated that Algeria, in recognition of the importance of education in the liberation and development of Africa, had rolled out scholarship programmes for African students, including Ghanaians.

The Ambassador emphasised Algeria's progress in education since independence, saying, “Algeria boast of a high-quality and free education system, with 12 million students in primary, middle, and secondary schools, and 1.5 million university students. One-third of the Algerian population attends free educational facilities daily”.

Mr Louhaidia said Algeria had built over 30,000 primary and high schools, 117 public universities and higher education institutes and 54 institutes of higher and engineering studies.

The Ambassador also highlighted that 63 per cent of university students were female, and 57 per cent were enrolled in science and technology programmes.

The Algerian Ambassador said the Algerian Embassy in Ghana had been actively promoting cultural exchange and educational cooperation between the two countries. 

Scholarships for African countries

The Ambassador stated that Algeria had consistently, over the years, in commitment to its Pan-African ideals, offered scholarships to many African students from other countries since the 1960s.

He said currently, about 90 Ghanaian students were enrolled on the Algerian scholarship programme, demonstrating the strong bilateral relations between the two nations.

“Today, we have 2,762 African students graduating in Algeria’s universities and benefiting from the Algerian government scholarships, among them are more than 90 Ghanaians,” he said.

Mr Louhaidia affirmed that “last year, Algeria awarded 45 scholarships to Ghana, and at the beginning of last month, 28 Ghanaian students joined their universities in Algeria”. 

Commitment

For her part, the President of AGSA Alumni, Memuna Birago Nuamah, expressed the group’s commitment to supporting the development of young minds and contributing meaningfully to society.

She affirmed their continuous relations with the Algerian Embassy and other stakeholders to ensure the legacy of international education bears fruit for generations to come.

Ms Nuamah appealed to her colleagues not only to celebrate their academic achievements but also to foster enduring friendship between the two countries.