VZCZCXRO8680
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHNM #1139/01 3391403
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 041403Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY NIAMEY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4735
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NIAMEY 001139 
 
DEPT FOR AF/W, AF/RSA, AF/PDPA SLISENBY, AND DRL/AE 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PHUM SOCI SCUL EAGR EAID NG
SUBJECT:  NIGER:  GON EXPANDS HIGHER ED TO NIGER'S INTERIOR 
 
¶1. SUMMARY:  On October 28-30, 2008 the GON opened three new 
University Institutes of Technology (IUTs) in the interior cities of 
Zinder, Maradi, and Tahoua.  This represents the largest expansion 
of the national university system since 1985.  According to GON 
officials, the purpose of the IUTs is to expand higher education 
opportunities for students outside of Niamey.  IUTs currently offer 
limited, targeted courses of study. 
 
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History of Higher Education in Niger 
------------------------------------ 
 
¶2. The Centre d'Enseignement Superieur (CES), established in Niamey 
in 1971, was Niger's first public institution of higher education, 
and was officially designated as the National University in 1973. 
In 1985, the public higher education system underwent an expansion 
with several existing post secondary and vocational institutions 
being subsumed as schools within the university.  In 1993, the 
university was renamed Abdou Moumouni University (AMU), in honor of 
professor and university rector Abdou Moumouni Dioffo, a famous 
Nigerien educator, intellectual, and solar energy expert. 
 
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Current State of Affairs 
------------------------ 
 
¶3. Between 1990-2006, the reputation and quality of education at AMU 
declined significantly, due in large part to over-enrollment, 
underfunding, and debilitating student strikes, which led to the 
cancellation of several academic years.  Over the past two academic 
years, the situation has improved with newly elected university 
officials striving to improve faculty and student working 
conditions, and standing firm in the face of unrealistic student 
demands. 
 
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Enrollment 
---------- 
 
¶4. Student enrollments increased significantly between 1971-1973, 
with Nigerien high school graduates no longer obligated to seek 
opportunities elsewhere the sub-region to begin their university 
studies.  To date, there are approximately 10,000 students enrolled 
at AMU. 
 
----------------------------- 
Governance and Administration 
----------------------------- 
 
¶5. The university rector is elected by the faculty, student 
representatives, and administrative staff representatives for a 
three-year renewable term. An elected vice-rector assists the 
president in managing the university's affairs. Deans act as chairs 
for the schools through a one-time renewable term of three years. In 
the absence of vice-deans, department heads and their faculty assist 
the deans in their duties. Heads of departments are elected by their 
peers for a two-year once-renewable term. 
 
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Research and Publication 
------------------------ 
 
¶6. Research and publication are not well supported at UAM, although 
research professors, in collaboration with outside partners, attempt 
to establish working teams to conduct original research. Research 
professor teams are active in the Agronomy School and the School of 
Health Sciences. Until recently, the lack of an electronic 
communication network through which research results could be 
disseminated had been a daunting problem; however, AMU is taking 
steps to modernize their communications infrastructure and 
capability.  They recently signed a contract to establish Internet 
access, which is now available to most faculty members, and have 
provided laptop computers to all university lecturers. 
 
 
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Privatization? 
-------------- 
 
¶7. Privatization is not currently part of AMU's plan for improvement 
and expansion.  The university community has debated the possibility 
of "non-public" means of funding, but without making specific 
reference to privatization.  A "reflection committee" has been 
established to brainstorm on new ways to tap into non-public funding 
sources on behalf of the university. 
 
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IUT Launch 
---------- 
 
¶8. On October 28, 2008, Minister of Secondary and Higher Education 
 
NIAMEY 00001139  002 OF 002 
 
 
Sidikou Oumarou presided over the official opening ceremony of the 
University Institute of Technology (IUT)in Zinder.  IUT Zinder will 
initially offer two courses of study:  regional planning and 
administration. IUT Maradi opened the following day with academic 
programs in electrical and civil engineering.  Tahoua's IUT opened 
on October 30 and will offer courses of study in banking and 
finance, accounting, and business management.  In the near future, 
IUT Tahoua is considering adding courses on hotel management and 
tourism.  According to GON officials, the institutes were created as 
an investment in human capital to create and empower a well-trained, 
modern workforce with the skills necessary to improve and expand 
economic development in Niger.  In addition, the IUTs will provide 
higher education opportunities for students outside of the capital. 
 
 
ALLEN