Universities open until 22:00 under new schedule

Universities will stay open until 22:00 so that buildings and equipment are used for longer, the higher education minister said on Saturday evening.

Algérie 360 reported the remarks by Kamel Baddari, minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, made during a visit to the University of Continuing Education (UFC) centre in Bouzareah.

He argued that lecture halls, laboratories and libraries often close in the middle of the afternoon and are underused. Longer opening hours would let them work for longer without new buildings, the ministry said in a statement issued on Sunday.

Students would have more space for revision, research and project work in the evening. Workers, civil servants and students with work or family commitments often find it hard to fit daytime classes into their timetable, so evening slots open a door for them.

The UFC was chosen for the visit because it promotes lifelong learning, which the minister presents as a basis for career progress. The centre uses digital tools and revises its courses to match the needs of the job market.

The extension started as a gradual rollout. In a first phase, activities were extended until 21:00 in six large university cities.

Families and student groups said concerns in late September, and several universities then clarified how evening classes would be run. Night travel and food services were among the concerns said.

The minister said a modern university should stop following office hours and build a culture of performance.