University of Biskra – Algeria
Mohamed Khider University of Biskra (Université Mohamed Khider de Biskra – UMKB) is one of Algeria's public higher-education institutions, located in the city of Biskra in the southeast of the country. It plays an important role in university education and scientific research, through academic programs covering sciences and technology, engineering, economic sciences, law, arts and languages, and natural and life sciences.
The university contributes to preparing scientific and professional competencies, developing applied research, and strengthening the relationship between higher education and local and national development needs, particularly in the fields of agriculture, water resources, energy, technology, and the environment.
First: About the University
Mohamed Khider University of Biskra was founded in 1992, following the development of higher-education institutions in the city, and it bears the name of the Algerian resistance fighter and activist Mohamed Khider.
It is known in French as Université Mohamed Khider de Biskra and in English as Mohamed Khider University of Biskra, and the abbreviation UMKB is used to refer to it.
The university adopts an academic orientation that combines university education, scientific research, and community service, with attention to developing graduate studies, updating educational programs, and strengthening cooperation with economic and research institutions. Institutional information and the university's history can be found on its official website.
Second: Faculties and Academic Majors
Mohamed Khider University of Biskra comprises faculties and institutes covering a wide range of scientific, applied, and humanities specializations. Below are the most prominent academic areas, for which the university's guide should be consulted to verify their current official names and the programs open in each academic year.
1. Faculty of Science and Technology
It covers specializations in civil engineering and hydraulics, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, industrial chemistry, and other technical fields. These specializations support the preparation of engineers and technicians for work in industry, construction, energy, and infrastructure.
2. Faculty of Exact Sciences and Natural and Life Sciences
It combines the basic sciences and the biological sciences, covering mathematics, physics, chemistry, and natural and life sciences. It contributes to developing scientific research in the environment, natural resources, biology, and scientific applications related to health and industry.
3. Faculty of Economic, Commercial, and Management Sciences
It offers programs in economics, business sciences, management, accounting, and finance, aiming to prepare graduates capable of working in economic institutions, banks, administration, planning, and business management.
4. Faculty of Law and Political Science
It specializes in legal studies and political sciences, including public law, private law, political institutions, and administrative organization, according to the accredited academic programs.
5. Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
It covers humanities and social-sciences specializations, including history, sociology, psychology, media and communication sciences, and education sciences, supporting the understanding of social, cultural, and developmental transformations.
6. Faculty of Arts and Languages
It is concerned with linguistic and literary studies, the Arabic language and foreign languages, and the development of communication, translation, and research skills in literature, linguistics, and culture.
7. Institute of Sciences and Techniques of Physical and Sports Activities
It provides training in sports sciences, physical activity, coaching, and physical education, contributing to preparing staff for work in sports education, coaching, and sports-activity management.
The university's official overview page confirms that its academic structure comprises six faculties and one institute.
Third: Scientific research and innovation
Scientific research is a fundamental pillar at Mohamed Khider University of Biskra, as the university houses research laboratories, scientific units, and academic projects in the fields of science and technology, the humanities, economics, and natural and life sciences.
The university supports graduate studies and doctoral training, and provides an institutional repository for theses, dissertations, and research, alongside specialized libraries and e-learning platforms.
Research related to water, hydraulics, energy, and the environment acquires particular importance given the climatic and economic characteristics of the Biskra region and the challenges it raises concerning water-resource management, agriculture, and sustainable development.
Among the indicators that can be used to evaluate the university's research performance:
the number of scientific publications indexed in Scopus and Web of Science.
scientific citations and the impact of research across different specializations.
research cooperation with international universities and institutions.
patents and applied projects.
researchers' participation in conferences and joint scientific projects.
Fourth: International cooperation and academic openness
Mohamed Khider University of Biskra pays attention to university cooperation and external relations, and has an administrative structure specialized in cooperation, partnerships, academic exchange, and scientific activities. Its portal also publishes information about international programs, including mobility and cooperation programs under Erasmus+.
This openness contributes to supporting the exchange of expertise among students, faculty, and researchers, developing joint research projects, and strengthening training opportunities abroad.
The university can strengthen its international presence by expanding research partnerships, encouraging joint publishing, developing internationally oriented programs, and linking academic cooperation to measurable indicators.
Fifth: the University of Biskra in international university rankings
Presence in international rankings is one of the indicators used to study the university's academic and research performance, while a distinction must be made between global rankings and digital-presence indicators.
The most notable documented results
Times Higher Education (THE) – World University Rankings 2025
The university announced that it ranked second nationally among 26 Algerian universities listed in the THE global ranking edition published in October 2024. This is a historical result specific to that edition and is not a confirmation of its current rank.
Source: The university's statement regarding the THE 2025 ranking.
Webometrics – July 2017
The university recorded seventh place nationally and 2,994th globally in the Webometrics table it published for the July 2017 edition. This result is cited for historical documentation only and does not reflect the university's current rank.
Source: Webometrics ranking archive on the university's website.
Analytical reading: the historical results indicate that the university achieved a notable presence in some international rankings. However, preparing an up-to-date rankings file requires verifying the university's page in each system, identifying the edition year and the category in which it appeared, and not replacing recent results with outdated data.
It is also important to follow the following rankings when updating the file:
QS World University Rankings: to verify appearance in the overall global ranking or the regional rankings.
Times Higher Education: to follow performance in the global ranking and the regional rankings.
ShanghaiRanking (ARWU): to verify appearance in the global academic ranking or subject rankings.
SCImago Institutions Rankings: to follow research, innovation, and societal-presence indicators.
Webometrics: to monitor digital and academic presence on the web.
The sources I verified do not provide sufficient evidence to confirm a recent global rank for the university across all of these systems.
Sixth: Official Website and Contact Details
Name in Arabic: Jami'at Mohamed Khider Biskra.
Name in French: Université Mohamed Khider de Biskra.
Name in English: Mohamed Khider University of Biskra.
Abbreviation: UMKB.
Country: Algeria.
City: Biskra.
Beginning of university institutions in the city: 1984.
Establishment of the university center: 1992.
Transformation into a university: 1998.
Postal address: University of Biskra, P.O. Box 145, Biskra 07000, Algeria.
Email: webmaster@univ-biskra.dz
Phone: +213 33 54 31 60.
Official website: www.univ-biskra.dz.
Source: History and official overview of the University of Biskra.