Arab Educational Information Network

According to Egypt Vision 2030, which represents the way towards inclusive development, it has been clearly stated in one of its major objectives: the declaration of Egypt free of illiteracy. Therefore, all efforts exerted by state and civil institutions should be capitalized toward confronting the nagging problem of illiteracy. The expected role of the university in collaboration with the General Authority for Adult Education has become center stage in the proposed Strategic Plan for Literacy 2015-2030 to achieve the final goal: Egypt free from illiteracy before 2030. Consequently, the study aimed at articulating a future perspective for the expected role of Egyptian Universities in combating illiteracy. In order to achieve its objective, the study adopted the "ethnographic approach" to investigate the current role of Egyptian Universities, utilizing the status quo of the researcher which allow him to be " participant - observant " in all educational efforts. Furthermore, the study adopted the "descriptive approach" in analyzing all documents and data available, as well as related literature. The field study included: identifying the current role of Egyptian Universities in combating illiteracy, monitoring internal and external challenges and problems facing them as exemplified by officials as well as involved parties. The field study reached major results, among which: 1) Monitoring many of the challenges facing universities in combating illiteracy, such as: the lack of a unified plan for universities participation, poor coordination among university officials, weak funding, and the lack of conviction among most members of the university community (leaders - staff members - students) with regard to the value and the impact of the university participation in combating illiteracy. 2) Proposing a future perspective to enhance the role of Egyptian Universities in combating illiteracy, setting all requirements as well as procedures for implementation, and monitoring the expected obstacles and how to overcome them. (Published abstract)