Request for Applications (RFA): Higher Education Partnership with Mentouri University

Date Issued: April 2, 2009
Deadline: June 15, 2009

The Higher Education for Development (HED) anticipates making one (1) award of up to $600,000 over three years for a higher education partnership with Mentouri University in Algeria to:

• Enhance English language studies;
• Strengthen the business curricula, and
• Establish a career development center resulting in assistance to undergraduates and alumni in the development of relevant skills for the local workforce.

Online Information Session: HED is organizing an online information session on April 29, 2009 with United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the United States Embassy in Algeria in which interested applicants can submit questions concerning this RFA to representatives of Mentouri University, the Algerian Ministry of Education, USAID and the U.S. Embassy in Algeria through a web-based forum. Applicants are asked to register for the information session by April 27, 2009  by sending an e-mail to mcrane@HEDProgram.org.

Background
Context
Partnership Description
Contact Information Updated May 5, 2009
Application Review Guidelines
Eligibility
Application Format, Submission and Review
Terms of the Solicitation
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Updated May 5, 2009

Background

Higher Education for Development (HED) mobilizes the expertise and resources of the higher education community to address global development challenges. HED manages a competitive awards process to access expertise with the higher education community in coordination with the American Council on Education (ACE), the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), the Association of American Universities (AAU), the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU), and NASULGC: A Public University Association.

Through a Leader-with-Associates Cooperative Agreement, signed in September 2005 (AEG-A-00-05-00007-00) USAID’s Bureau for Economic Growth, Agriculture and Trade, Office of Education (EGAT/ED) provides support to Higher Education for Development.  This partnership is funded through Associate Cooperative Agreement No. 263-A-00-09-00011-00 with USAID’s Office of Middle East Partnerships (OMEP) and the U.S. Embassy in Algeria.

For details and information on USAID and its role in economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide over the past 40 years, please visit www.usaid.gov.

Context

Seventy percent of Algeria’s population is under age 30. Algerian higher education has seen a massive increase in undergraduate enrollments.  Currently, 1.05 million Algerian undergraduate students populate the universities, and this number is expected to reach 1.5 million by 2010. 

In addition to keeping up with the classroom instruction needs of a growing university population, Algerian higher education is also dealing with the issue of unemployed graduates resulting in part from inadequate job skills preparation prior to graduation.University graduates face high unemployment rates, nearly 70 percent in some regions.  In spite of the large number of unemployed university graduates, private sector employers report difficulty identifying young Algerians who can demonstrate English language proficiency in workplace situations, basic management and computer skills, and the “soft skills” for workplace success such as communications, writing, adaptability, teamwork, and problem-solving.

It is essential that higher education institutions demonstrate success in providing quality instruction and the skills for transitioning to the workplace.  Better education and employment prospects are effective ways to counter the allure of extremist ideology and recruitment in Algeria. 

Mentouri University, considered to be the hub for higher learning for eastern Algeria, is the nation’s second-largest university, offering courses in all major subject areas to 80,000 students. The student population is expected to reach 120,000 by 2012. 

A partnership between a U.S. university and Mentouri University will establish the foundation for targeted faculty development programs, improved curricula, and job skills programs at Algerian higher education institutions that effectively prepare students for professional success.

Partnership Description

By establishing the foundation for targeted faculty development programs, improving curricula, promoting the link between the university and the workforce, and developing job skills programs that effectively prepare students for professional success, the partnership is expected to strengthen the capacity of Mentouri University to provide effective teaching, curriculum, and research in English and Management.  The partnership also is expected to help the Algerian Ministry of Higher Education and Mentouri University develop teaching modules and deliver initial training on these topics.

Performance Objectives for the Partnership

The outcomes of this partnership will include evidence of:

• Improved curriculum in the speaking and writing of English to better prepare students for employment through revised content and teaching methods developed by the academic partners in consultation with local employers.
• Improved curriculum in business management to better prepare students for employment through revised content and teaching/learning methods developed  by the academic partners in consultation with local employers.
• Mentouri university faculty having the requisite skills and knowledge to teach the collaboratively developed English and management courses, sometimes in virtual classrooms extending the newly developed curriculum to the greatest number of students.
• A trained cadre of graduate students at Mentouri University to deliver the revised English language and business curricula.
•  Collaboration among the higher education partners with the private sector to ensure relevance of the curriculum, and opportunities for experiential learning for students.
•  A career development center to provide career counseling and job skills training so that Mentouri University students are better prepared to secure employment after graduation.
•  A sustainability plan for the career development center involving the private sector to ensure that the Mentouri University career center counseling and job skills training activities are continuously reviewed to maintain relevance for local employment.

Curriculum Development and Faculty Development

The partnership is expected to strengthen the capacity of Mentouri University to provide effective teaching, curriculum, and research in English and Management.  Algerian students must master these skills to gain employability in potentially high growth industries/sectors. The partnership will help the Algerian Ministry of Higher Education and Mentouri University develop teaching modules and deliver initial training on these topics. 

Mentouri University has a modern campus with facilities and technical capability to host a program of virtual classrooms in many disciplines. The partners will be expected to capitalize on the investment in technology that has been made by Mentouri University to support partnership activities, for example, live online classes, web support, and video-conferences for a real-time connection between the U.S. and Algerian universities.

Higher education partners’ plans must consider the shortage of professors with relevant skills at Mentouri University.  Job skills and other training activities might involve training graduate students to increase the capacity of Mentouri University to serve large numbers of undergraduate students.

Examples of possible activities:

• Assessment of existing capacities and needs for English and Business Management faculty/staff.
•  Review  of existing curriculum and teaching methodology, for example,  “train the trainers” modules around the topics of  English and Business Management.
•  Virtual courses to educate graduate students to serve as educators.
•  Limited study exchanges between the U.S. university and Mentouri University to observe curriculum planning, teaching techniques, and career center services.

Workforce Development Component (Career Center)

This component of the partnership will emphasize skills-building for the transition from university-to-workplace, and promote the link between the university and the workforce, so that graduating students will become more effective job “seekers” and “holders.”

The higher education partners will be expected to consult with the private sector to bridge the gap between education and employment.  Basic academic foundation skills such as reading, writing, communications, and computer skills should serve as the bedrock  for “soft skills” needed in the workplace, such as problem-solving, interpersonal communications, and teamwork.

The partners will be expected to engage the private sector, beginning with a survey of the workforce skills needs of major employers in Constantine and other places in Algeria.  Experiential learning opportunities, in the form of training internships offered to appropriate students, and in-kind support for skills training through the provision of instructors for skills courses, might be secured from the private sector creating the basis for sustainability of the center.  In addition, the partners will also be encouraged to develop a means by which employers can access students who excel academically for fast track employment opportunities.

Applicants should not approach potential private sector partners during the application phase, or request any letters of commitment until after an award has been made by HED and USAID.  USAID/OMEP and the U.S. Embassy in Algeria note that private sector partners unfamiliar with USAID and the HED competitive process may be confused and frustrated by multiple requests for applications, and this may jeopardize the relationship between USAID, the applicant and the partners after the award has been made.  Applications should demonstrate a sound strategy and approach to the engagement of the private sector.

Applicants should note that there has been a previous HED partnership for a career center in Algeria.  Interested parties may wish to contact the career center established at the Institut National de Commerce(National Institute of Commerce) to learn from their experience. At the INC, please contact Dr. Ali Belkhiri.

Examples of possible activities:

• Establishment of  a career development center.
• Study tours for staff from Mentouri University to observe a career development centers at  U.S. or other universities.
• Assessment of  employers’ needs for “soft skills” and other employment credentials.
• Development of teaching modules for job skills training.
• Training in career counseling for  Mentouri University staff.
• Establishment of internships for Mentouri University students.
• Planning for public-private partnerships with multinational companies and other stakeholders to sustain the career development center.

Contact Information

Applicants with questions related to this RFA may contact HED Senior Program Officer Marilyn Crane at mcrane@HEDProgram.org. 

Applicants wishing learn more about workforce development issues in Algeria and/or contact Mentouri University may contact Rafik Mansour, Public Affairs Officer at the United States Embassy in Algiers at mansourrk@state.gov.

The designated contact for Mentouri University is Mrs. Fawzia Bensouiki.  Her contact information:

Mrs. Fawzia Bensouiki
Deputy Director of Cooperation
Mentouri University
bensouiki@yahoo.fr
Direct office line:  00 213 31 81 86 77

Application Review Guidelines

Peer reviewers will use the following criteria to evaluate the applications:

I. Partnership design and implementation plan    (35 points)

• Evidence of plans to improve curriculum in the speaking and writing of English developed by the academic partners in consultation with local employers.
• Demonstrated plan for the improvement of the curriculum for  business management  developed  by the academic partners in consultation with local employers.
• Evidence that partnership activities will provide Mentouri university faculty with the requisite skills and knowledge to teach the collaboratively developed English and management courses, in both traditional and virtual classrooms.
• Evidence that the partners will develop a trained cadre of graduate students at Mentouri University to deliver the revised English language and business curricula.
• Clear plans for collaboration among the higher education partners with the private sector to ensure relevance of the curriculum and opportunities for experiential learning for students.
• Feasible plan for the development of a career development center.
• Evidence of a sustainability plan for the career development center, involving the private sector, which ensures that the Mentouri University career center activities are continuously reviewed to maintain relevance for local employment.

II. Collaboration and commitment    (20 points)

• The partnership team possesses relevant professional credentials and expertise in English language teaching and management.
• The partnership team possesses relevant expertise in career development programming for undergraduate students.
• Key personnel are knowledgeable of and experienced in Algeria or the MENA (Middle East/North Africa) region.
• Clear evidence of institutional commitment (engagement of faculty, students, and administrators) among all partners and collaboration in designing and implementing activities.

III. Outcomes and Results     (15 points)

• Likelihood of achieving performance objectives  stated in the RFA.
• Feasibility of the work plan to achieve outcomes as stated in the RFA.
• Evidence of plans to sustain partnership outcomes beyond the period of the award.

IV. Cost-Effectiveness and Cost Share of Overall Budget   (15 points) 

• Cost sharing (recommended at 25 percenof the award amount), including expected cash or in-kind contribution from all the partners.
• Demonstrated cost-effectiveness in program design.
• Equitable distribution of funds between U.S. and host country partners.

V. Monitoring, Reporting and Evaluation Plan    (15 points)

• Evidence of valid and reliable methodology for collecting baseline data.
• Clear plan for monitoring partnership activities, and reporting outcomes.
• Clearly articulated plan for an external evaluation to assess the partnership’s impact.

Total: 100 points

Eligibility

HED will only consider applications from regionally accredited, degree granting, U.S. higher education institutions (2 & 4-year colleges and universities). U.S. colleges and universities may apply individually, or in partnership with other institutions. HED encourages applications from or with the participation of minority-serving institutions.

USAID has stipulated that in order to work with and strengthen local tertiary institutions, the HED program will engage U.S. institutions of post-secondary education (including universities, colleges, and community colleges) as core development partners in each of the activities funded under the program. Funding will be obligated through the U.S. institutions to the cooperating institutions and stakeholders in the target countries in a fair, transparent and open manner through program investments that will both develop and leverage the capacity of the local institutions to meet the human and institutional capacity needs of their country.

Applicants' budgets should demonstrate that award funds will be managed by the applicant and overseas partners that are qualified higher education institutions. HED cannot accept sealed applications. HED can only negotiate an award agreement with the lead U.S. higher education institution named in the application.

Application Format, Submission, and Review

Application Format
How to Submit an Application
Peer Review

Application Format

Please provide the contents of the application in the following order:

1. Title Page (Please complete HED form in full and obtain signatures of authorized officials.)

2. Table of Contents

3. Abstract (not to exceed 3 typed, double-spaced pages, 12-point font, 1-inch margins). The abstract should contain a summary of the narrative, workplan and budget.

4. Narrative (not to exceed 20 typed, double-spaced pages, 12-point font, 1-inch margins) Address the criteria listed in Application Review Guidelines I-V (see above).

5. The 20-page application must describe a monitoring and reporting plan for the partnership, including an initial baseline assessment, that shows how progress and results will be communicated and reported to USAID through HED.

6. Appendices (Attachments beyond the stated appendices will not be read nor taken into consideration):
    * Annual workplan for the funding period (Use HED form).
    *Budget forms (Use HED form. Complete all tabs).
    * Résumés of the proposed U.S. institution director(s) and host institution personnel, not to exceed 2 one-sided pages per person.
    * Signed letters of support from the presidents, chancellors, or other chief executive officers of the cooperating institution in the United States.
    * Signed letters of support from appropriate university leaders of the partner institution as well as partnership directors. University leaders from the partner may include deans, rectors, or university presidents.
    * Signed letters of support from key collaborating partners. This may include NGOs and private sector partners.
    * Signed letter from appropriate official at applicant institution verifying that all costs cited conform to established institutional policies and practices. Include a copy of the U.S. institution's Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate (NICRA).

How to Submit an Application

Applications must be received at HED by 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time (ET), June 15, 2009. Faxed or electronically transmitted applications will not be accepted. All elements of the application must be received by the deadline. HED recognizes that original, signed cover letters and letters of support from overseas partners may be subject to delays due to factors beyond the applicant’s control. Only in these exceptional cases, faxed or scanned copies of the application title page and letters that include all necessary signatures may be submitted in the application, provided signed originals are received at HED within seven (7) calendar days of the deadline.

Applicants should submit the original application plus seven (7) hard copies of the complete application package containing title page, table of contents, abstract, narrative, and appendices (all on loose-leaf paper, clipped together — no three-ring binders, staples, or plastic bindings), and a flash drive/thumb drive or CD (with files saved as Microsoft Word/Excel for PC) containing the entire application, including all budget forms, budget narrative, and other appendices.

Applications should be sent to: (*NOTE: This is a NEW address)

Algeria: Strengthening Higher Education Preparation for the Workforce
Higher Education for Development
1 Dupont Circle NW, Suite 420
Washington, DC 20036-1110

Once an application has been received, there is to be no contact with the HED program office until the completion of the peer review process in order to ensure fairness to all parties concerned.

Peer Review

Applications will be reviewed by expert panelists, which include representatives from higher education, international development, and USAID.  Awards will be made on the basis of reviewers’ recommendations of merit, and USAID. Peer review of applications is slated for early July 2009.

Letters of communication from members of the U.S. Congress in support of an application are discouraged as these may be thought to prejudice the peer-review process. Such letters will not be forwarded to peer reviewers. Notification about awards is expected following the completion of peer review. Upon final announcement of awards, the person named in the application as partnership director may submit a written request for copies of the peer reviewers’ scores for the application. No personal reviews will be granted, and no comparative score tabulations will be shared.

Terms of the Solicitation

Cost Share
Execution of Awards
Post Award Briefings
TraiNet Requirements
Health and Accident Insurance
Reporting

Cost Share

The minimum suggested total cost share from all U.S. partners is 25 percent of the award amount. Reported cost share must be auditable. Non-auditable contributions may not be used to meet the minimum, but can be indicated separately and attached to the budget detail form. Applicants should itemize all cost sharing and in-kind contributions.

Cash and in-kind contributions will be accepted as part of the applicant’s cost sharing when such contributions are: (a) verifiable from the applicant’s records; (b) not included as contributions for any other federally-assisted program; (c) reasonable for the accomplishment of partnership objectives; and (d) not paid by the federal government under another grant.

In-kind contributions may include, but are not limited to: waivers of tuition and fees for students participating in academic exchanges; donation of library and classroom materials to the partner; ICT infrastructure and Internet Service Provider subscription subsidy for the partner and exchange students; faculty salaries; travel and/or per diem for faculty and administrators to participate in professional exchange and development programs; and indirect costs.

Execution of Awards

Awards will be executed as sub-agreements between the designated U.S. university, college, community college, or consortium, and the American Council on Education (ACE), through the Higher Education for Development (HED) office, under USAID Cooperative Agreement AEG-A-00-05-00007-00. The institution recommended for award will receive a draft version of the sub-agreements to review. The award recipient will be expected to submit a marking plan related to USAID branding as part of the sub-agreement that clearly indicates the support provided by USAID for activities conducted under the award.
Please note that no award nor cost share funds may be expended prior to a fully executed (i.e., signed by both parties) sub-agreement between ACE and the designated U.S. institution unless pre-award expenses have been approved as a part of the negotiation of the sub-award. Activities are expected to commence immediately after the sub-agreement is executed.

Award funds will be disbursed to the designated U.S. university, college, community college, or consortium, based on the applicant’s implementation of the work plan, stated budget, and submission to HED of financial, tax, and narrative progress reports. It is the designated U.S. institution’s responsibility to provide disbursements (reimbursements) for its collaborating partner(s) in accordance with the agreed-upon activity schedule and budget.

Post Award Briefings

Partnership directors, and/or their designees, are required to participate in two post-award briefings. The first briefing, conducted in a virtual format, will review reporting, monitoring and evaluation requirements. The second briefing via a conference call will address general requirements of the award.

TraiNet Requirements

To comply with the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Department of State, and USAID regulations regarding tracking and monitoring of Exchange Visitors, foreign nationals whose costs are paid, fully or partially, directly or indirectly using USAID program funds for training, non-training, and invitational travel, must enter the U.S. on a J-1 visa (non-immigrant Exchange Visitor visa) processed under one of USAID’s two program numbers, unless otherwise waived according to the procedure in ADS 252.3. J-2 visa applications for family members are not supported per USAID policy.

USAID expects that all DS-2019 documents (paperwork needed for J visas) and in-country or third country training be processed through the USAID Training, Results and Information Network (TraiNet) system.

Institutions may not directly access the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) to issue DS-2019 documents internally. Information regarding USAID’s J-1 visa requirements may be found online at the Participant Training website. Administrators must adhere to the regulations detailed under TraiNet, Visa Compliance System (VCS), the Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), and USAID’s Automated Directives System (ADS) 252-Visa Compliance for Exchange Visitors, and 253-Training for Development. U.S. institutions should allow a minimum of four months for the processing of visas when planning activities in the United States.

TraiNet management requires a significant commitment of staff time and applicants are encouraged to consider this when developing the program budget. 

USAID Health and Accident Coverage (HAC) Insurance Program

The U.S. institution is responsible for enrolling each participant traveling to the United States or a third country in the official USAID Health and Accident Coverage (HAC) insurance program. Participants entering the United States on J-1 visas are required to obtain HAC from the official USAID vendor. Institutions may not use award funds to cover their own institutional HAC insurance. More information on the USAID HAC program is available online. The cost of HAC for participants must be included in the budget.

Reporting

Awardees will be required to submit to HED:

Financial reports are due at least quarterly to record expenditures for the following periods: Jan. 1-March 31, April 1-June 30, July 1-Sept. 30, and Oct. 1-Dec. 31.
Semi-annual narrative progress reports for the following reporting periods may be sent via e-mail: April 1-September 30 and Oct. 1-March 31.
Both financial reports and semi-annual progress reports are due within one-month after the corresponding reporting period closes: Jan. 31, April 30, July 31, and Oct. 31.
A final narrative report (due 30 days after the conclusion of program activities).
Final financial reports (due no later than 90 days after the sub-agreement closing date).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 
Q: What are the State Department’s and USAID’s expectations for this partnership?

A: The U.S. Government is interested in helping Algerian students benefit from an education that helps prepare Algerian graduates for the needs of the workplace and establishing a career center that helps them obtain employment. The U.S. Government also hopes that this partnership will promote stronger relationships between Algeria and the United States and expects strong collaboration and communication between all of the parties concerned—Mentouri University, the U.S. partner higher education
institution(s), the Ministry of Higher Education, Higher Education for Development (HED), and the U.S. Embassy in Algiers.
More information on the U.S. Government’s interest in the partnership is reflected in this request for applications (RFA).

Q: Who will be the overseas partner organization? Mentouri University, the Ministry of Higher Education, or both?

A: The U.S. higher education institution selected for this partnership will partner with Mentouri University.  However, Mentouri University will consult closely with the Ministry of Higher Education throughout the implementation of the partnership.

Q: What role does Mentouri University play in the proposal process?  

A: Mentouri University will be the main point of contact for U.S. higher education institutions that are interested in applying. The designated contact for Mentouri University is Mrs. Fawzia Bensouiki.  Her contact information:

Mrs. Fawzia Bensouiki
Deputy Director of Cooperation
Mentouri University
bensouiki@yahoo.fr
Direct office line: 00 213 31 81 86 77

Additional questions may be addressed to Mr. Rafik Mansour, Public Affairs Officer at the United States Embassy in Algiers. His e-mail address is mansourrk@state.gov.

Q: For this RFA, should we contact Mentouri University and ask if they are interested in a partnership with our university? 

A: You should contact Mentouri University for feedback on your application. However, Mentouri University will NOT endorse any applications, and letters of support will not be provided to interested applicant institutions. There is a space on the third page of the Application Title Page for a signature from an authorized Mentouri University official. This signature signals that Mentouri University has been consulted regarding the application, and it IS required.

Q: What does Mentouri University expect from this partnership?

A: Mentouri University expects: 1) A train-the-trainers program for graduate students in English and in Management.  2) The creation of a career development center to help the transition between the university and the workplace, to teach the students useful skills for future employment, and to help fight unemployment in Constantine.

Q: How is the funding going to be handled? Will Mentouri be a sub-contractor to the U.S. partner? How much or what percentage does Mentouri expect?

A: HED is USAID’s partner. HED issued the RFA and will be responsible for issuing a sub-award to the winning U.S. applicant institution. All funding will go to the lead U.S. institution. Based on the nature of the proposed activities, the lead U.S. institution will determine whether to enter into a sub-contract with Mentouri University and/or any other partners. However, in the spirit of collaboration and partnership the lead U.S. institution and Mentouri University are expected to agree on a budget together as part of the application process.

Q: Does Mentouri University currently have partnerships with U.S. universities?  If so, what type and for how long?

A: Mentouri University has never had a formal partnership with U.S. universities. This partnership would be the first such linkage.

Q: Is Mentouri University interested in an English language center for the Faculty of Economic Sciences that is similar to what we have here in the United States—which is ESL?

A: There is already an intensive language center at Mentouri University that is available to all students who wish to pursue the study of foreign languages, regardless of their major.  This center offers courses for beginners, intermediate and advanced students.  Courses are offered three times a week, two hours per session.  Mentouri University hopes to introduce more English for Specific Purposes (ESP) courses at the Faculty of Economic Sciences.

Q: Toward which type of native language speaker is Mentouri’s English for Specific Purposes program primarily geared?

A: Arabic (Algerian Arabic) is the native language for at least 95 percent of the students at Mentouri University. 

Q: What is the current and target percentage of placements of graduates? On average, how long does it take to place students in jobs after graduation?

A: The majority of Mentouri University students find jobs in Algeria. It is rare for Algerian students to go outside of the country. On average, it takes students a long time to find a job after they graduate. Mentouri University students find it difficult to find job in the fields they are studying. Most students extend their studies to graduate and post-graduate degrees.

Q: What is the minimum English proficiency level of incoming students to Mentouri?

A: Most Algerian students have taken five years of English for a few hours per week in secondary school. Generally, their level of English proficiency is low when they reach the university.

Q: Are all students required to take English courses at the university?

A: All students at Mentouri University are required to take two hours of English per week, regardless of their major.

Q: Is English the medium of instruction in all university coursework? If not, which courses are currently taught in English? What are the other languages of instruction?

A: The main language of instruction at Mentouri University is Arabic, although the sciences are taught in French. English is only taught for the language itself.

Q: What is the current business curriculum, i.e. courses, areas of study, degrees?

A: Mentouri University’s undergraduate business curriculum consists of courses in the following areas:  commerce, management, business, finance, accounting, statistics, banking, and marketing.  Mentouri business students also are required to take other courses in English, sociology, psychology, etc.

Q: Does the Business program currently have an internship program?

A: There is a short internship program in France for students after graduation. Only a select number of students are able to participate.

Q: At present, how and for what purposes do faculty members use technology in teaching?

A: Mentouri University has Internet, and many classrooms are equipped with computers. Students also have use of computer labs.  Some of the faculty members use this technology when teaching courses.  Videoconferencing facilities are also available at the university. It would be possible for U.S. universities to conduct courses via videoconferencing at the university. 

Q: Are graduate students currently allowed to take on instructional responsibilities in the university?  If so, are there any restrictions as to disciplines of study, number of hours of instruction, course load while teaching, and typical compensation rate?

A: Postgraduate students have a one-year course of study and are allowed the possibility to lecture. Postgraduate students may work a maximum of nine hours/week. Compensation for lecturing is around $200-250 USD per month.

Q: Which languages are used in most business settings in Constantine?

A: Algeria remains a francophone country, and businesses conduct most of their business in French. Few business transactions are conducted in English. Arabic is used mostly at the level of the municipal government.  Although French is still the dominant means of communication in Algeria and Constantine, because of the Internet, there has recently been a movement toward English—particularly among the youth. This partnership would play a key role in the linguistic transition to English in Algeria.
 
Q: What are Constantine’s main industries?

A: The main industries in Constantine are pharmaceutical, mechanical engineering, food, and telecommunications industries.

Q: In general, what are the high-growth business sectors in Constantine?

A: Pharmaceutical, construction, and food industries are Constantine’s high-growth business sectors.

Q: What kind of facilities and services will Mentouri provide for an on-campus career development center?

A: Mentouri University will provide space for the career development center, as well as staff, computers, etc.  Mentouri University will be a full partner in this partnership.

Q: Will all 80,000 students be eligible for career development center services? What about alumni?

A: All current Mentouri University students should be eligible for career development center services. Mentouri University recently opened an American Corner (resource area on U.S. culture, history, etc.)  that is open to the entire university community. A year later, there have been approximately 750 clients.  Involving the private sector in the career development center will be important. It will be students from those fields who will use the career development center.  If necessary, plans can be adjusted to accommodate needs. Alumni will not be eligible to use the career development center, as the focus is on preparing current students to enter the workforce.

Q: Is the Ministry of Higher Education (MHE) involved in delivering training and developing curriculum for institutions of higher education?

A: The MHE has a directorate whose staff is comprised of professors and faculty members. New curricula must be presented by universities to the directorate for approval.

Q: The RFA refers to course revision.  Have those courses been selected?  Will there be new courses? 

A: The English curriculum and the Management curriculum were last revised in 1991. The Ministry of Higher Education is requesting that the partnership begins its activities by having partners jointly review both sets of curricula to determine how the curricula could be revised to help Algerian students better prepare to enter the free market economy. TESOL will be restricted to the graduate students in English, and English for Specific Purposes (ESP) will be restricted to the graduate students in Management.

Q: Can any student take these English for Specific Purposes (ESP) courses, or will they be restricted to English and Management students?

A: Initially, TESOL courses will focus on graduate students in English and English for Specific Purposes (ESP) courses will focus on graduate students in Management.

Q: When is the project expected to be launched? When will we hear which institution was selected for this award?

A: It is anticipated that HED will announce an award winner by the end of July. Ideally, activities will begin in the fall semester.

Q: In which faculty is the Department of English housed? The Department of Management?

A: The Department of English reports to the Faculty of Foreign Languages. The Department of Management is part of the Faculty of Economic Sciences.

Q: To whom will the director of the career development center report within the university hierarchy?  Will the English component of the project be housed within the career development center, or will the English for Specific Purposes (ESP) center be separate?

A: The director of the career development center will report to the Mentouri University rector.  TESOL and English for Specific Purposes (ESP) courses will be housed in the English and the Management academic departments, respectively.

Q: Can tuition be charged for these courses?

A: Tuition cannot be charged. All courses are free.

Q. The RFA suggests 25 percent of the award amount should be contributed as cost-share. Does that mean each partner is expected to pick up about half of that, i.e UMC 12.5 percent and the U.S. partner 12.5 percent?

A: Please refer to this RFA’s Terms of the Solicitation which says, “The minimum suggested total cost share from all U.S. partners is 25 percent of the award amount.”  Any contribution from Mentouri University would be in addition to the suggested contribution from U.S. partner(s).

Q: How many students can have online English pronunciation lessons at time?

A: Mentouri University is not aware of students who have taken or are taking English pronunciation lessons online.

Q: What is Mentouri University’s academic calendar?

A: The academic year follows a semester system. The first semester starts at the beginning of September and runs through the end of January. The second semester starts at the end of February and runs through the beginning of July.  Please note that weekends in Algeria are Thursday and Friday.