Algerian Radio
The university services system will be reinforced for the upcoming academic year with the addition of 10 new residences, providing a total capacity of 17,000 beds. This initiative aims to improve the quality of accommodation services for students.
In a statement to APS, the Director General of the National Office of University Services (ONOU), Mr. Adel Mezough, indicated that following the reception of these new residences, the total capacity will reach 630,202 beds. This represents an estimated surplus of 190,120 beds, as 440,082 students are currently housed across 467 university residences in various wilayas. This surplus is expected to improve reception conditions and ensure better comfort, allowing students to focus fully on their studies.
Mr. Mezough noted that ONOU is continuing its efforts to renovate facilities, specifying that 2,058 pavilions have already been renovated, while another 1,200 are scheduled for rehabilitation over the next two years to modernize the housing system.
To accelerate these works, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has granted expanded powers to university rectors regarding the university services sector, allowing them to exercise direct oversight of maintenance and renovation works at residences under their authority.
Regarding university catering, Mr. Mezough stated that ONOU has entered into direct five-year fixed-price contracts with public economic enterprises. This strategy reduced the catering budget from 21 billion DZD in 2025 to 18 billion DZD in 2026, despite the arrival of 50,000 additional students. This was achieved through the implementation of a meal pre-booking system via the "Progres" platform and the "Wallet" electronic purse.
In the same context, he highlighted that the university transport fleet consists of 6,326 buses, now supported by the "MyBus" application for GPS tracking and "MyBus Control" for verifying trip data via QR code scans.
The restructuring of the accommodation plan, based on housing students in residences closest to their place of study, has led to a reduction in the number of buses used in the capital as part of a spending rationalization policy. Furthermore, rail transport serves 15,496 subscribers, while 72,053 use the metro and tramway. Additionally, a convention with Air Algérie facilitates the transport of 3,379 students from the southern wilayas.
University scholarship payments are now fully digitized through the "Eminha" platform within the "Progres" system, eliminating the need for paper documents. Mr. Mezough emphasized that integration with Algérie Poste has helped regulate the postal accounts dedicated to scholarship disbursements.
He reiterated that the "zero paper" initiative also applies to housing, catering, and transport platforms. The goal is to allow students to access various services remotely, ensuring greater comfort and efficiency.
Mr. Mezough also mentioned the establishment of committees to monitor preparations for the next academic year, aligning with the sector’s transition toward smart administration and improved services.
Finally, he stressed the importance of supporting scientific and cultural clubs, as well as sports associations within university residences, to enhance student life and promote awareness campaigns to protect students against social ills.
