University of Ahmed Draia

Situated in Adrar, a small city within a Sahara Desert oasis in south-western Algeria, the University of Ahmed Draia is often referred to as the 'African University' and was established in 1986. This nickname reflects its commitment to research projects and laboratories focused on African themes and issues.

In 2021, the university enrolled just under 16,000 students, including approximately 500 graduates, across various faculties, including economics, commerce and management studies, law and political science, arts and languages, science and technology, and social science, humanities, and Islamic science.

With a majority of female students in most faculties, women make up nearly two-thirds of our undergraduate population, reaching just under 70 percent in social science, humanities, and Islamic science.

To accommodate students, the university provides five halls of residence, with an additional 1000-bed facility under construction.

African studies are integrated into all humanities courses, and the Laboratory of African Studies publishes the Journal of Intellectual Dialogue among other university publications.