On 4 January 2026, Mr. Kamel Baddari, the minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, presided over the ceremony for the promotion of the “Salhi Ahmed” university centre to university status. Accompanied by the governor of the province and his delegation, the minister inaugurated the “Ahmed Salhi” University following its promotion from a university centre to university status in accordance with the Executive Decree No. 25-265 of 7 October 2025, which included seven faculties and the Institute of Pastoral Agriculture. 

On this occasion, Mr. Kamel Baddari confirmed that “this promotion embodies the vision of the Algerian state, which aims to make the university a locomotive for achieving development goals and enhancing its economic role”. He also added that this step is part of the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s instructions to elevate university education to be a fundamental pillar in building a national economy based on entrepreneurship, technology, science and knowledge.

He then visited an exhibition of start-up projects and university interfaces related to the economic environment, including:

• The academic subsidiary;
• The university incubator;
• The entrepreneurship development centre and the centre for technology and innovation support;
• The house of artificial intelligence.

The Minister reviewed the research projects of several students as well as micro projects. He also listened to explanations of project models in various fields that rely on digital systems technologies, remote control and management, and artificial intelligence. These models were particularly focused on the sectors of health, large-scale agriculture, livestock breeding, waste recycling, and renewable energy.

Mr. Kamel Baddari, the minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, observed a successful model of an economic institution specialising in livestock breeding that emerged from Naama University business incubator. Starting with zero dinars, the project has achieved a turnover exceeding one billion centimes, thereby proving that the Algerian universities are capable of generating wealth and transforming education into profitable projects that benefit the national economy. 

The minister emphasised the importance of directing scientific research towards practical solutions with a developmental impact. However, he called for an urgent increase in the number of supervisors within the incubator, in order to ensure effective monitoring, accelerate the projects’ maturation, and transform ideas into tangible economic institutions.

During his meeting with the students, the minister praised their ability to identify opportunities and convert them into innovative ideas and projects with added value, reflecting the effectiveness of educational programmes at various universities.

The minister also inspected several sector-related projects, including:

• A project to create 2,000 pedagogical seats, expected to be completed by the start of next academic year;
• A project to build a 600-seats auditorium, scheduled for completion in June;
• A project to build a residence with 1,000 beds, scheduled for completion by the next academic year.