Media and Communication Cell

   In the context of implementing ministerial decision No. 205 dated October 23, 2023, the University of Continuous Education – Didouche Mourad, Dely Ibrahim, organized an awareness day on the « Student-Athlete Decision » on Wednesday, February 5, 2023. The event was attended by a selection of student-athletes from the capital and some neighboring provinces, aiming to highlight the importance of the decision in enabling student-athletes to balance their academic and sports careers.

   The organization of this event was in response to the directives of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, which seeks to provide a flexible and encouraging educational environment for student-athletes, allowing them to excel in their studies without impacting their sports careers. The event saw significant participation from students, with representatives from the Ministry of Higher Education, including Mr. Rabieka Ezzedine and Mr. Riad Boukhabla, as well as university officials, where various aspects of this decision and ways to effectively implement it were discussed.

   The event included interventions from specialists in the fields of sports and pedagogy, during which details of the ministerial decision and its facilitation for supporting student-athletes were explained. Additionally, challenges faced by student-athletes in balancing studies and sports competitions and possible solutions to overcome them were discussed. Experiences of professional athletes who succeeded in balancing their sports and academic careers were also presented. Participants had the opportunity to ask questions and offer suggestions on how to best benefit from this decision.

   The rector of the University of Continuous Education, Professor Yahya Djafari, emphasized the importance of this decision in reviving the glory of university sports by supporting student-athletes and granting them rights and privileges to help them succeed in their dual careers. He pointed out that the decision allows student-athletes to benefit from various facilitations, such as academic breaks, reduced pedagogical activities, make-up exams, and additional services like accommodation, transportation, and catering. He also praised the high level of athletes within the university, which includes a distinguished elite who have won national, continental, and international titles in various sports disciplines, numbering in the dozens across our centers nationwide, in sports such as football, basketball, martial arts like Viet Vo Dao, free diving, athletics, and chess.

   Mr. Ezzedine Rabieka, Deputy Director of Sports Activation at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, confirmed that university sports today have attained a high rank as a key component in the ministry’s program and strategy. The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Professor Kamel Baddari, emphasizes in all his meetings the importance of university sports. He also provided a detailed explanation to student-athletes about the ministry’s policy regarding university sports.

   The awareness day was widely praised by the attendees, who considered the ministerial decision a significant step in supporting young athletes at both academic and sports levels. The importance of activating follow-up and support mechanisms to ensure achieving the decision’s goals on the ground was affirmed.

   The event concluded with the distribution of student-athlete cards to all attendees.

   In conclusion, the participants stressed the importance of intensifying such awareness initiatives and enhancing cooperation between universities and sports federations to ensure the success of this ambitious project. The ministry’s commitment to developing university sports and supporting sports champions to help them achieve their dreams without compromising their academic future was also emphasized