Recherche scientifique en Algérie / Scientific research in Algeria

[Al-khiyal]

Algeria to support training scientists

March 2, 2011 -- Despite a recent improvement in their work conditions, Algerian scientists continue to move abroad in search of better opportunities. To tackle the problem, Algeria looks to adopt fresh measures to bolster youths' interest in science. "The action undertaken by the directorate, as part of the national recruitment policy, provides for the training of 60,000 research lecturers by 2020," Director of Scientific Research and Development at the Higher Education Ministry Hafid Aourag said on February 16th. "In 2012, the number of research units and centres in Algeria will rise to 100," he said, adding that the country also plans to build 300 new laboratories.

With only 22,000 researchers, Algeria has 600 scientists per million citizens, half of the average ratio in the world. For comparison, Tunisia boasts 2,200 specialists per million. What is the reason behind this distaste for scientific research, which puts Algeria at the bottom of the table in the Arab world? Despite a "considerable" increase in salaries, which have "doubled" to about 20,000 dinars (1,779 euros), university graduates "prefer to go into teaching" and "often turn their backs on research", according to Aourag. "Research demands more time and effort, and many universities prefer teaching, with its months of holiday and convenient working hours," he said.

This argument "is far from convincing", according to researcher Fatiha Djourlaf. "The reasons for this unpopularity lie elsewhere," she told Magharebia, pointing to the "deplorable" conditions offered by the authorities to researchers. The conditions for Algerian scientists include a glaring lack of laboratories, low remuneration, bureaucracy, and an array of other social problems, "which hinder creativity" and discourage researchers, according to Djourlaf. As a result, a great number of Algerian specialists pursue jobs in foreign laboratories and research centres, medicine professor Yazid Amrouche said. "As a doctor and head of a hospital department, I receive 7,000 dirhams, which is approximately 700 dollars," he said. If many university graduates turn their backs on research, Amrouche continued, it is not just to have a "nicer" work schedule.

More than 40,000 Algerian scientists work abroad, Amrouche said. According to government sources, only 1,500 researchers are employed outside Algeria. Many research expatriates refuse to return to their country of birth to avoid mandatory military service, said nuclear researcher Tatah, who spent several years in the United States. Despite government promises to improve the situation, 300 scientists from the Algiers Nuclear Research Centre staged a sit-in on February 21st to demand allowances and pay hikes.

[Al-khiyal]

Centres de recherche de Draria et d'Alger :
Les chercheurs organisent un sit-in

Mardi 15 Mars 2011 -- Les chercheurs des Centres de recherche scientifique et technique nucléaires de Draria (CRND) et d’Alger (CRNA), qui relèvent du Commissariat national à l’énergie atomique (Comena), sont en colère. Cela fait presque un mois qu’ils organisent des arrêts de travail de courte durée pour dénoncer leur situation socio-professionnelle. Ce mardi 15 mars, ils envisagent d’organiser un sit-in devant le CRNA pour forcer l’administration à mettre en application le décret du 20 octobre dernier relatif au régime indemnitaire et l’éléboration du statut particulier du chercheur permanent. Ce statut était prévu depuis 1996 avec l’entrée en vigueur du texte sur le fonctionnement du Comena. Les protestataires dénoncent le refus des responsables du Comena, qui dépend du ministre de l'Energie et des Mines, à adhérer à leurs revendications pourtant basées sur des textes de loi. Ils disent avoir saisi par lettre, et à plusieurs reprises depuis l’automne 2010, tous les responsables. Sans obtenir de réponse. Ils accusent le Comena de faire preuve de «mauvaise volonté» dans la prise en charge de leurs problèmes. Selon eux, les chercheurs de l’Agence spatiale algérienne (Asal) ont bénéficié du nouveau régime indemnitaire alors que l’Asal et le Comema ont un statut juridique similaire. Outre Draria et Alger, le Comena gère également les centres de Birine (Djelfa) et de Tamanrasset. Le CRN Alger développe des programmes de recherche dans les domaines de la physique, des techniques et applications nucléaires, de la physique radiologique, de l’environnement et de la sûreté nucléaire. Le CRN Draria, qui gère le réacteur expérimental Nur (lancé en 1989 d’une puissance d'1Mwatts), s’occupe, lui, de la la valorisation des matériaux liés à la fabrication de combustible nucléaire, de la physique et du génie nucléaire.