President affirms his Determination to Improve Conditions for Students and Develop the Higher Education System

HE President of the Republic, Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazwani, affirmed that higher education students constitute an important elite of our youth, which is the pillar of the nation and its strength and equipment in its economic, political and social process.

Speaking at an Iftar banquet held on Thursday evening in honor of a group of students from the country’s higher education institutions, His Excellency added that the youth will be able to triumph over the various difficulties and challenges that may stand in their way.

He said that science, work, research and innovation are key determinants through which youth can realize their hopes and aspirations of their nation.

His Excellency urged the students to live up to the expectations of their country and nation and to be on time to fulfill the high hopes pinned on them, noting that he worked to prioritize education in general, and higher education and scientific research in particular.

The President of the Republic recalled some of the achievements made in the higher education sector, which included expanding and diversifying the training offer and aligning it with the needs of the market; our institutions now offer 61 specializations, 11 of which are new specializations, and increasing capacity by building a new university campus with a capacity of 11,000 students, building the headquarters of the Higher Institute for Digitalization, and the Nouakchott Business School, which is nearing the end of its construction.

His Excellency added that the achievements in this field include improving the conditions of students in general by increasing the amount of scholarships and expanding the base of beneficiaries, universal health insurance and free public transportation for students whose families are on the social register.

Atttaining these achievements required doubling the amounts allocated to these areas, he said, so that the higher education budget went from around 9 billion old ouguiyas in 2019 to more than 20 billion old ouguiyas in 2024.

His Excellency stressed that he is aware that what has been achieved is still below the hoped-for level, and on this basis, he is determined to continue to redouble efforts to meet the demands of students, improve their conditions, and develop the higher education and scientific research system to better meet the country’s development needs and be a strong lever for the country’s progress and prosperity.

He reiterated the need to reject laziness and dependence, and to turn to learning, developing skills and developing creative talents and innovations.

The President of the Republic congratulated the teaching and framing staff in this great scientific edifice, calling on the students to feel the size of the hopes pinned on them, as they are the present and future of the country, and its development will only be achieved by them.

His Excellency said that he is honored to be with the students of this scientific edifice, and happy to be attending this iftar with them at the beginning of the last ten days of this holy month.