Accra: Algeria will increase the number of scholarships offered to Ghanaian students and expand the program to include new fields such as Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies, the Algerian Ambassador to Ghana, Mr. Mourad Louhaidia, has announced. The Ambassador made this disclosure during a ceremony hosted at his residence in Accra to mark Algeria's National Students' Day. The event brought together alumni of the Association of Ghanaian Students in Algeria (AGSA), current students, Ghanaian government officials, and friends of the Algerian Embassy.
According to Ghana News Agency, National Students' Day, observed annually on May 19, commemorates the historic 1956 student strike in Algeria, during which thousands of students abandoned their classrooms to join the national liberation struggle against French colonial rule. Ambassador Louhaidia emphasized the vital role that students played in shaping Algeria's history. He noted that Algeria's progress in education since independence in 1962 had been monumental, with the country currently hosting over 12 million students in primary, middle, and secondary schools, and 1.5 million in universities.
The Ambassador reaffirmed Algeria's commitment to Pan-Africanism and solidarity, highlighting the longstanding educational cooperation between Algeria and Ghana. He noted that over 90 Ghanaian students were currently studying in Algeria under full government scholarships, with 28 having recently arrived in March. 'In view of the successful visit to Algiers by Ghana's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, our two governments agreed to deepen cooperation, with education being a key area,' the Ambassador said.
Ambassador Louhaidia announced that Algerian public universities would be open to fee-paying foreign students for the first time this year. Ms. Memuna Birago Nuamah, President of the AGSA Alumni, said the celebration symbolized international unity and academic excellence. 'The alumni community serves as a living bridge between our cultures,' she remarked.
Several Ghanaian professionals who studied in Algeria were recognized at the event, including Mr. Hakim Ouzzan, General Manager of a local bank; Mr. Gharbi Samir, Director of a cement factory; and Mr. Samir Sadaoui, CEO of a major agro-business in Ghana. 'These individuals are proof of the enduring impact of education diplomacy,' Ambassador Louhaidia said in an interview with the Ghana News Agency. He reiterated Algeria's unwavering commitment to nurturing the historical ties between the two countries. 'Education is the most powerful tool to shape the future, and Algeria is proud to share it with Ghana,' he stated.
