University staff in Egypt receive military training
Universities in Egypt are required to send their staff members seeking promotions to attend training sessions at the Nasser Higher Military Academy, raising controversy over the growing role and influence of the army in the country.
CAIRO — The Egyptian government is organizing training sessions for second- and third-rank university professors, administrators and employees to train them in leadership and organizational skills at Nasser Higher Military Academy, under the supervision of sociology professors and military generals.
A staff member at the University of Alexandria, who is scheduled to attend the session later this year, told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that the university is giving time off to attend the free sessions, specifically aimed at young staff members.
He told Al-Monitor over the phone that the training session is called “Strategic Studies and National Security,” noting that it will take place each Friday for four hours, over a period of three months.
The sessions seek to unify the vision of staff members and employees regarding national security concepts. Each university employee seeking to get promoted to a higher level administrative position at the university is required to attend these sessions, according to the source.
