
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
Soon after its independence, Mali undertook in 1962 a significant
reform of its educational system. One of the essential objectives
of this reform as regards higher education aimed at providing the
newly independent State with qualified officers and executives in
sufficient number and at a lower cost. This is why, at the level
of higher education, higher education higher schools covering all
the social economical sectors of the country were created.
The 1962 reform had already planned the creation of a University,
soon after the fundamental priorities were realised.
These high schools have fully fulfilled their missions, ensuring
the training of high level officers not only for Mali, but also
for several other countries in the sub-region.
Yet, around the 1980s, these institutions were faced with a chronic
crisis characterised by a serious malfunctioning, with overcrowded
classes, insufficient and timeworn facilities and instructional
material. Thus, after several forums on education including the
States General in 1989, the National Debate in 1991, the regional
meetings in 1994, Mali has tried to adapt its educational system
to the political, economical and cultural opinions which prevailed.
All the actors of the educational system have noted a chronic crisis,
especially the discrepancy between the realities of education and
social demands, the inadequacy between training and the job market
which was undergoing a profound change, the great centralisation
of the educational system at the structural level, as well as the
level of the resources and the facilities. Since then, our higher
education institutions had stopped functioning as Higher Schools
and were changed into Faculties deprived of the corresponding status.
In 1986, the University of Mali was created by the Law 86-12/AN-RM
of March 8, 1986. However, this type of decentralised university,
despite the interesting characteristics of its de-concentration,
was accepted neither by the teachers nor by the partners in development.
Therefore in 1993, a university mission set up by the department
in charge of higher education and in collaboration with an interdisciplinary
team, has produced the first legal acts and the programmes of the
University.
In 1994, another mission composed of malian and foreign experts
reviewed the works of the university mission and made relevant recommendations
especially with regard to management.
In December 1995, the conferences on the implementation of the
university synthesised the works of the university mission and those
of the experts in order to finalise the legal and statutory acts
as well as the implementation strategy. All the officers of higher
education from 1960 to 1995 were associated and participated one
way or another to this forum.
A team of the Rector’s Office set up in 1995, in addition
to all the works announced above, has untiringly worked for the
opening of the University which became effective in November 1996.
The University of Mali:
The University of Mali was created by Act of Law 93-060 of September
1993, but became functional only in November 1996. According to
Decree 96-156/PRM determining the organisation and the modes of
functioning of the University of Mali, the structures of the University
are (in alphabetical order and by category):
-- Central university library (in project not yet materialised).
-- Faculty of Literature, Languages, Arts and Humanities (FLASH);
-- Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Odonto Stomatology (FMPOS);
-- Faculty of Science and Techniques;(FAST)
-- Faculty of Law and Economics (FSJE);
-- National School of Administration (ENA);
-- National School of Engineering);
-- Higher Normal School (EN Sup);
-- Rural Polytechnic Institute for Training and Applied Research
for the Integrated Development of the Sahel (IPR/IFRA);
-- Higher Institute for Training and Applied Research (ISFRA);
-- University Institute for Management (IUG).
The University Council:
The University Council is accountable for the management of the
activities of the University.
It includes the Rector, the Vice-Rector, the National Director of
Higher Education, the Deans of the Faculties, the Directors of Higher
Schools, the Directors of University Institutes, the
Chief Librarian of the Central University Library, one researcher
from each Research Institute, the elected Representatives of each
Faculty Assembly and teaching personnel
of each Faculty, Institute and School.
The size of foreign students (non-malian) enrolled in the different
institutions of the University of Mali varies between 0 and 10 %,
and cannot exceed 10 to 25% depending on the institution. ENI,IPR
and FMPOS have traditionally been international institutions and
continue in this way with the highest sizes of foreign students.
The Direct Environment of The University of Mali.
Certain factors might influence the activities of the different
structures of the University of Mali. In the field of scientific
research, there are several institutes in Mali which have either
directly assisted the University already, or might extend their
activities to include the university structures in the domain of
research as well as of teaching. Theses institutions include the
National Centre for Scientific and Technical Research (CNRST), the
Institute of Rural Economy (IER), and the National Institute for
Research in Public Health (INRSP). Suggestions have been made for
a better use of the presence of these institutions. As regards teaching,
some private university programmes are to start soon. The Master
of Business Administration (MBA) of the University of Quebec in
Montreal plans to begin its first courses in September 2000. This
matter was discussed with the Representative of the programme in
Bamako who expressed the strong desire of the University of Quebec
in general, and that of their MBA programme in particular to develop
some partnership with similar programmes of the University of Mali.
This Master’s Degree programme which will concern only in-service
personnel (the professionals) for a start, will offer its courses
on week-ends (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday), making use of professors
coming from Canada and the competent local staff. The University
of Mali could take advantage of this opportunity by creating appropriate
conditions for the Canadian professors to participate in the activities
of the University. The Mandé Bukari University Centre is
another private initiative which has developed an exchange and co-operation
agreement with the University of Mali in the field of teaching and
scientific research.
The teachers are ranked in one of the following four categories
within the different institutions of the University of Mali: professor,
associate professor, junior lecturer, and assistant. Professors
and associate professors must have a doctorate. There are three
(3) major categories of teachers depending on the type of contract
they have with the University: permanent teachers, teachers on contract,
and day teachers.
APPENDIX – I
GENERAL INFORMATION:
I. MISSIONS:
Law N° 93-O60/P-RM of September 8, 1993 bearing on the creation
of the University of Mali defines the missions to be carried out
by a whole set of institutions made up of the Faculties, the Institutes
and the Schools. The principal missions are:
-general and professional higher training
-research and the advancement of scientific and technological research
-the dissemination of knowledge and culture
II. VOCATION:
In the creation Law, the national, sub-regional and regional vocation
of the University of Mali is strongly reaffirmed. Also is its ambition
to be a regional pole of competence for development which reveals
an important factor of African integration.
III. LEGAL STATUS:
The University of Mali is a national public service with administrative
characteristics (‘EPA’) endowed with moral personality
and financial autonomy.
IV. ADMINISTRATION:
The University of Mali is under the trusteeship of the Ministry
in charge of Higher Education. The administrative and management
bodies of the University are the University Council and the Rector’s
Office.
1. The University Council:
It is the guiding and controlling body of the activities of the
University. It is presided over by the Rector. It includes:
. The Rector;
. The Vice-Rector;
. The National Director of Higher Education;
. The Deans and Directors of the Institutes, the Schools and the
Research Centres.
. The chief Librarian of the central university library;
. The Representatives of the teachers elected by the assembly of
the faculty, Institutes or
Schools;
. The General Secretary of the University of Mali;
. The Representatives of the students;
. The Representatives of teachers’ unions;
. The Representatives of the university administration;
. The Representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of
Mali;
. The Representatives of the national federation of employers of
Mali;
. The Representatives of the permanent Assembly of the chambers
of agriculture;
. The Representative of the permanent Assembly of the chambers of
crafts.
The Council is the decision making body of the University:
2. The Rector’s Office:
The Rector’s Office is headed by a Rector assisted by a
Vice-Rector.
ORGANISATIONAL CHART OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MALI:
V. GENERAL SERVICES:
1. The Rector:
. He ensures the implementation of the decisions made by the University
Council.
. He’s endowed with the power to authorise expenditures on
the University budget.
. He is the senior in rank of all the personnel of the University.
. He represents the University in justice and social life events.
3. The Vice-Rector:
He assists and rightfully stands in for the Rector in case of absence
or impediment.
He ensures the control of the pedagogical and research activities
of the University.
4. The General Secretary:
His duties are to:
.Co-ordinate all the administrative activities;
.Manage the administrative and technical staff of the University
as well as the students’ schooling and supervise the enrolments.
5. The Principal Accountant:
He is accountable for:
. Preparing the University budget intended for the Rector and following
up its execution.
. Managing the University finances under the responsibility of the
Rector.
6. The Head of the Office in Charge of External and Judicial
Affairs:
His duties are to:
. Manage the activities related to international co-operation and
the relations with the professional environment;
. Produce the legal acts related to the University;
. Provide legal pieces of advice on all the acts he is called upon;
. Study and conduct inquiries about foreign diploma equivalency
and exemption
applications.
. Study and follow up litigation.
7. The Head of the Office in Charge of the University Patrimony:
His duties are to:
. Study, plan and supervise new construction projects.
. Manage the movable and immovable properties of the University.
V. ADMINISTRATION OF THE FACULTIES:
The governing bodies are the Faculty Assembly and the services
of the Dean’s Office.
1.The Faculty Assembly:
It is the decision making body of the faculty. It is presided
over by the Dean.
The faculty Assembly includes:
. The Dean;
. The Vice-Dean;
. The Directors of faculty Institutes;
. The Representatives of the teachers according to ranks (Professors,
Associate Professors, Junior Lecturers and Assistants) and elected
by their peers;
. The Representatives of the students;
. The Principal Secretary;
. The Representative elected by the administrative personnel;
. The Representative elected by the technical personnel;
It can be extended, whenever necessary, to professionals.
2. The Dean:
The Dean is the first accountable officer of the faculty.
. presides over the faculty Assembly and ensures the execution of
the decisions.
. ensures the administration, the police of the faculty and attends
to the implementation of
laws, regulations and instructions.
. is accountable for the exams and attends to the good conduct of
all the academic activities of
the faculty.
. has disciplinary power as regard the students.
. authorises expenditures in accordance with the credits allocated
to the faculty budget on the
Rector’s authority.
3. The Vice-Dean or the Assessors:
In the discharge of his/her duties, the Dean is assisted by a
Vice-dean or by Assessors.
4. The Principal Secretary:
His/Her duties are to:
. Supervise the activities of the schooling services, the personnel,
and the secretaries;
. Co-ordinate all the administrative activities;
. Take care of the organisation of the faculty meetings and conferences.
5. Accountant:
His/Her duties are to:
. Make available for the Dean all the aspects of the financial management
of the faculty;
. Prepare the budget project of the faculty for the Dean and follow
up its execution;
. Manage the finances of the faculty under the Dean’s responsibility.
VII. ADMINISTRATION OF THE UNIVERSITY INSTITUTES AND SCHOOLS:
The governing bodies are the University Institute/School Assembly
and The University Institute/School Director’s Office.
1. The Institute/School Assembly:
It is the decision making body of the University Institute or
School. The Institute or School Assembly includes:
. The Director of the Institute or the School.
. The Deputy-director;
. The Representatives of the teachers according to hierarchical
grade (Professors, Associate Professors, Junior Lecturers, Assistants);
. The Representatives of the students;
. The Principal Secretary of the Institute or the School;
. The Representative elected by the administrative personnel;
. The Representative elected by the technical personnel;
It can be extended to the representatives of the social professionals.
2. The Director of the University Institute/School:
The Director is the first accountable executive of the University
Institute or School.
. He/she presides over the Institute or School Assembly and ensures
the implementation of the
decisions made;
. He/she ensures the administration, the police of the Institute
or School and attends to the
implementation of laws, regulations and instructions.
. He/she is accountable for the exams and attends to the good conduct
of all the academic
activities of the Institute or the School.
. He/she authorises expenditures in accordance with the credits
allocated to the Institute or the
School on the Rector’s authority.
Every Faculty, Institute and School are divided into Instructional
and Research Departments the number and the list of which are determined
by an act taken by the Minister in charge of higher education upon
the proposals of the Faculty, Institute or School Assembly, after
consultation with the Rector of the University. The Department rules
on all the questions concerning its life. It includes all the teaching,
administrative and technical staff of the Department and is headed
by a Head of Department elected by his peers.
3. The Teachers’ Council:
It is composed of the Vice-Dean and the Assessors for the Faculties,
the Director and the Deputy-director for the Institutes and the
Schools as well as all the senior teachers (Professors and Associate
Professors). It examines any proposal of pedagogic innovation, the
introduction of any new field of training, new instructional programmes
before they are presented the Faculty, Institute or School Assembly.
4. The Disciplinary Council:
It is in charge of all disciplinary questions concerning the students.
IX. SIZES OF STUDENTS AND TEACHERS:
The University of Mali has a regional and sub-regional vocation,
affirmed in its Law of creation.
The student population grew from 10775 (for 471 teachers) in 1996/1997
to 19714 (for 538 teachers) in 1999-2000. Considering the 5,339
new high school graduates of the academic year 2000, the University
will register some 25,000 students for the academic year 2000-2001.
For the same year, there is a need for 177 teachers.
The important African (and non African) size of 976 students coming
from the sub-region and region (Benin, Burkina, Cameroon, Congo
Brazzaville, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Djibouti, Centrafric , Mauritania,
Niger, Togo, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, the Comoro
Islands, Rwanda, Tunisia and Iran) affirms the African vocation
and the ambition shown by this young University to become a regional
pole of competence for development, an important factor of African
development.
The University of Mali works for a broadening partnership by including
in its objectives the advancement of inter-university and institutional
co-operation.
The University of Mali has 538 teachers all ranks included. The
majority of the generalist teachers have a diploma of specialisation
(‘Doctorat 3ème Cycle) as a basic degree. This doctorate
in fact aims to have the student undertake a specialisation which
can be carried out at the University while in assistantship. This
specialisation research must lead to a dissertation for the ‘Doctorat
d’Etat.’
The institution in charge of training teachers for the University
of Mali is ISFRA (Higher Institute of Training and Applied Research).
APPENDIX – II
VIII. ORGANISATION OF TEACHING:
Conditions of Admission:
1. Required Degrees:
A..Former Study Regime:
| HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION |
DEGREES DELIVERED |
ACADEMIC TERMS (YEARS) |
| Ecole Normale Superieure (Secondary School Teacher Training
College) |
Diploma of Ecole Normale Superieur |
4 Years after the Baccalaureate (High School Diploma) |
| Higher School For Practical Studies (EHEP) |
University Diploma For Higher Technicians |
2 Years after the Baccalaureate |
| National School of Engineering |
Diploma of Engineers of Applied Science |
5 years after the Baccalaureate |
| Rural Polytechnic Institute (IPR) |
Diploma of Engineers of Applied Science |
5 Years after the Baccalaureate |
| National School of Administration |
Diploma of the National School of Administration |
4 Years after the Baccalaureate |
| National School of Medicine (ENMP) |
Diploma of State Doctorate in Medicine and Pharmacy |
6 Years after the Baccalaureate |
| Higher Institute of Training and Applied Research (ISFRA) |
Diploma of Advanced Studies |
1-2 Years after the Bachelor’s Degree |
| Higher Institute of Training and Applied Research (ISFRA) |
Doctorate |
2-4 Years after the Bachelor’s Degree |
B. New Study Regime with the opening of the University:
The Diplomas of the former study regime will continue to be delivered
until extinction of the classes concerned by that regime.
University Diplomas.
| HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION |
DEGREES DELIVERED |
ACADEMIC TERMS (YEARS) |
| Faculties:Faculty of Lit…(FAST)Faculty of Sc./Tech..(FAST)Faculty
of Law…(FSJE) |
Diploma of General University StudiesLicenceBachelor’s
DegreeDiploma of Higher Specialised StudiesDiploma of Advanced
StudiesDoctorate of the University of Mali |
-2 Years after the Baccalaureate-3 Years after the Baccalaureate-4
Years after the Baccalaureate-1-2 Years after the Baccalaureate-1-2
Years after the Baccalaureate-2-4 Years after the Diploma of
Advanced Studies |
| University Institute of Management (IUG) |
University Diploma of Technology (DUT)Industrial Engineering
Diploma |
-2 Years after the Baccalaureate-3 Years after the DEUG |
| National School of Engineering (ENI) |
Engineering Diploma in Civil EngineeringEngineering Diploma
in TopographyEngineering Diploma in Geology |
-3 Years after the DEUG-3 Years after the DEUG-3 Years after
the DEUG |
| Institute of Training and Applied Research (IFRA) |
Engineering Diploma in AgronomyEngineering Diploma in BreedingEngineering
Diploma in Forestry |
-3 Years after the DEUG-3 Years after the DEUG-3 Years after
the DEUG |
| Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Odontostomatology (FMPOS) |
State Doctorate in MedicineState Doctorate in PharmacyState
Doctorate in Odonto-StomatologyCertificate of Specialised Studies |
-7 Years after the Baccalaureate-6 Years after the Baccalaureate-7
Years after the Baccalaureate-4 Years of Post university studies |
|