Arab Educational Information Network

Public Universities remained the main arbiters of higher education in Egypt until 1996, with the only exceptions being the American University in Cairo, and the Arab Academy for Science Technology and Maritime Transport. However, in 1996, a presidential decree established four private universities, which later paved the way for the establishment of many other private universities in Egypt. By the year 2005, almost 40,000 Egyptian students were attending private universities. In an effort to understand the political attitudes and behaviors which the growing numbers of students acquire from higher education in Egypt, this study answered the following questions: Do students who attend private universities have more tolerant and democratic political attitudes and behaviors as opposed to students who attend public universities? Can private universities, which are less controlled by Egyptian security and police, become agents of social change and thus lead to democratization in Egypt? To answer these questions, the researcher first analyzed the political science programs offered in Future University (FUE), the American University in Cairo (AUC) and Cairo University (FEPS). Which courses do students in all universities have to attend? Second, the researcher studied the amount of availability of student groups/clubs and unions, and the popularity of these different groups. After the input of these different universities was examined, the researcher employed a survey study on sophomore and junior students belonging to these three Universities to understand the difference in their democratic political attitudes and behaviors. The study yielded the following results: Students at AUC have shown the most positive attitudes toward equality, tolerance and liberty. There was no substantial statistical difference between students of Cairo University and Future University. The political engagement of AUC students was highest, however, students at FEPS and FUE have shown positive interest in political engagement, through high participation in simulation Models. (Published Abstract)