Larbi Ben M'hidi University Oum El Bouaghi 2026: Majors, Faculties, and Rankings | Top Arab University Rankings

Larbi Ben M'hidi University – Oum El Bouaghi

Larbi Ben M'hidi University Oum El Bouaghi 2026: History, Faculties, Majors, Scientific Research, and Rankings

Last updated: September 2026

About Larbi Ben M'hidi University

Larbi Ben M'hidi University – Oum El Bouaghi is Public university an Algerian university located in the city of Oum El Bouaghi northeastern Algeria, and is named after the Algerian martyr and freedom fighter Larbi Ben M'hidi.

The university's institutional roots date back to 1983, when it was first established as a higher teacher-training school. The institution then evolved into the National Higher Institute of Mechanics in 1984, before becoming a university centre in 1997.

In 2009 The institution acquired full university status under the name the University of Oum El Bouaghi, before its name settled on Larbi Ben M'hidi University – Oum El Bouaghi. QS data illustrates the university's institutional evolution and the government decisions associated with its development.

The university currently comprises a wide range of faculties and institutes, offering academic programmes in exact and natural sciences, applied sciences, engineering, architecture, economics, business and management sciences, law and political science, arts and languages, and social and human sciences, in addition to sport and physical-activity technologies, urban management, and applied sciences and technologies.

University Profile Card

QS records 16,715 students و1,083 faculty members و40 international students in the university's profile data.

History of Larbi Ben M'hidi University

1983 – Teacher-training school

The institution began in 1983 as a teacher-training school, under Executive Decree No. 83-314 dated 7 May 1983.

The establishment of the institution was part of the expansion of Algeria's higher education and specialised training system.

1984 – National Higher Institute of Mechanics

In 1984, the institution evolved into the National Higher Institute of Mechanics, while a higher institution for training teachers of fundamental sciences was also established during the same period.

This shift marked the beginning of the move towards specialised higher education in science and engineering.

1997 – University centre

Executive Decree No. 97-158 dated 10 May 1997 which led to the creation of a university centre in Oum El Bouaghi comprising several institutes.

This stage represented an important transition from a specialised institution to a multi-disciplinary university centre.

1999 – The Larbi Ben M'hidi name

The institution took the name of the martyr Larbi Ben M'hidi starting in November 1999.

2009 – Establishment of the university

Executive Decree No. 09-06 dated 4 January 2009 which established the University of Oum El Bouaghi in its modern university form.

The structure was subsequently amended under Executive Decree No. 13-164 dated 15 April 2013.

Geographic Location

The university is located in the city of Oum El Bouaghi, capital of Oum El Bouaghi Province in north-eastern Algeria.

The province lies within the Hauts Plateaux region, among several important urban and university centres in eastern Algeria.

The THE website indicates that the university serves the city of Oum El Bouaghi and its regional surroundings, and comprises seven faculties and three institutes.

Officially published address:

Larbi Ben M'hidi University – Oum El Bouaghi
P.O. Box 358, Constantine Road, 04000 Oum El Bouaghi, Algeria.

Faculties and institutes

The university currently comprises Seven faculties and three institutes according to THE data and the university's official website.

1. Faculty of Exact Sciences and Natural and Life Sciences

The faculty covers a range of fundamental and applied scientific fields, including:

• Mathematics.
• Computer science.
• Physics.
• Chemistry.
• Natural and life sciences.
• Biological sciences.
• Scientific specialisations related to the environment and natural resources.

The faculty is active in scientific research and in organising conferences and scientific meetings.

Among the most recent published research activities is the organisation of a national meeting on nonlinear dynamical systems and their applications in science and technology in October 2026, in cooperation with the Dynamical Systems and Control Laboratory.

2. Faculty of Sciences and Applied Sciences

This faculty represents one of the university's main components in the engineering and applied fields.

Its training and research fields include:

• Engineering.
• Hydraulics.
• Civil engineering.
• Applied specialisations.
• Water technologies.
• Water treatment.
• Hydrology.
• Irrigation.
• Hydraulic structures.
• Geographic information systems.

The university's official schedules show specialised programmes in hydraulics covering hydrology, irrigation, water treatment and purification, hydrogeology, and hydraulic structures.

3. Faculty of Earth Sciences and Architecture

The faculty brings together:

• Earth sciences.
• Geology.
• Geography and related fields.
• Architectural engineering.
• Urban planning.
• Urban technologies.

Scientific activities published on the university's website show an interest in topics such as:

• Smart cities.
• Resilient cities.
• Healthy cities.
• Sustainable urban development.
• Climate change.
• The relationship between water, soil and the environment.

This field represents an important opportunity for the university in research related to cities, sustainability and climate change.

4. Faculty of Economic, Commercial, and Management Sciences

The faculty offers programs in:

• Economics.
• Commercial sciences.
• Management sciences.
• Finance.
• Accounting.
• Management.

The official website states that the faculty's functions include undergraduate and postgraduate training, knowledge production through academic and applied research, as well as organising conferences and scientific meetings and serving the community.

Published research topics include issues such as:

• Economic development.
• Start-up financing.
• Small and medium-sized enterprises.
• Digitization.
• The informal economy.
• Sustainable development.

5. Faculty of Law and Political Science

The faculty offers programs in:

• Law.
• Law.
• Political Science.
• Administrative and legal sciences.

The Institute of Legal and Administrative Sciences was upgraded to Faculty of Law and Political Science under Executive Decree No. 06/09, according to the university's official website.

The faculty participates in organising conferences and studies on:

• Investment policy.
• Sustainable development.
• Criminal policy.
• Islamic finance.
• Public and private law.

6. Faculty of Arts and Languages

The college's fields include:

• Arabic Language.
• Foreign languages.
• Literature.
• Linguistics.
• Linguistic studies.
• Translation and related fields.

The faculty's published scientific activities show an interest in topics such as:

• The Arabic language in science and technology.
• Cognitive linguistics.
• Artificial intelligence and its applications in linguistic studies.
• Digital literature.
• Digital communication.

7. Faculty of Social and Human Sciences

The faculty comprises multiple fields in:

• Social sciences.
• Humanities.
• Sociology.
• History.
• Media and communication.
• Humanities studies.

The faculty's scientific activities show an interest in topics such as:

• Social media.
• Digital Media.
• Business management.
• Algerian society.
• Tolerance and combating hate speech.
• Migration.
• History and research methodologies.

Institutes

Institute of Sciences and Techniques of Physical and Sports Activities

The institute originally began as a department within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences during the academic year 2008–2009, before developing into an institute in 2013 under Executive Decree No. 13-164.

The official website states that the institute now receives around 1,300 students, with a significant expansion in the inflow of students from neighbouring provinces.

The field covers:

• Sports sciences.
• Sports training.
• Physical activity.
• Physical education.
• Sports activity sciences and technologies.

Institute of Applied Sciences and Technologies

It focuses on applied training linked to labour-market needs and modern technologies.

Published international activities indicate the institute's interest in topics such as:

• Electrical technology.
• Computer science.
• Communications.
• Energy.

Institute of Urban Technology Management

It focuses on fields related to:

• Urban Planning.
• Urban management.
• Urban technologies.
• Smart cities.
• Sustainable urban development.

This field represents a natural extension of the specialisations related to architecture, earth sciences and planning.

Study system and academic programmes

The university follows the Algerian higher education system based on:

Licence → Master's → Doctorate

It offers diverse programmes in:

• Basic sciences.
• Applied sciences.
• Engineering.
• Architecture.
• Earth sciences.
• Economics, commerce and management.
• Law and political science.
• Arts and languages.
• Social sciences and humanities.
• Physical and sports activity sciences and technologies.
• Applied technologies.
• Urban management.

The university's digital system shows separate lists of examinations and schedules by faculty and institute, reflecting the breadth of its academic structure.

Graduate and Doctoral Studies

Larbi Ben M'hidi University offers postgraduate programmes and third-cycle (doctoral) training.

A recent example is the organisation of a national competition for admission to LMD doctoral training 2024–2025 in the specialisation of Artificial Intelligence and its Applications within the field of computer science.

This reflects the university's drive to integrate digital disciplines and artificial intelligence into its postgraduate programmes.

Scientific Research

Scientific research is one of the core components of the university's strategy.

The university houses research laboratories and regularly organises:

• International conferences.
• National meetings.
• Study days.
• Scientific seminars.
• Doctoral competitions.
• Research projects.

Research activities cover multiple fields, including:

Science and engineering

Artificial intelligence and computing

Water and hydraulics

Environment and climate change

Smart cities

Economics and development

Law and politics

Language and literature

Social and human sciences

The official website shows recent research activity in dynamical systems and control, technology, energies, smart cities, the digital economy, and other areas.

International Cooperation

The university attaches importance to international cooperation and international students.

The university has established a support system for International students through contact points in:

• The university presidency.
• The colleges.
• The institutes.
• The departments.
• The university residences.

The official page indicates the presence of contact points for international students across the various academic units, including sciences, engineering, economics, law, languages, sport and applied sciences.

The university also organises international conferences and participates in scientific activities of an international nature.

Student and Faculty Numbers

According to QS published in the university's profile:

These data show that the university is a medium-sized institution in terms of student numbers, with a notable proportion of postgraduate students.

Admission and Registration

Admission to the university requires obtaining the Baccalaureate under the Algerian admission system, and the university provides electronic platforms for registration and student lists.

The digital system also provides student registration lists by faculty and specialisation, including Master's registration.

Students are advised to consult the official website of the university and the Algerian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research for admission requirements, grade thresholds, and registration procedures for each academic year.

Digital Transformation

Larbi Ben M'hidi University has an extensive digital infrastructure that includes:

• Digital platforms.
• Professional email.
• The central library.
• Electronic journals.
• Research laboratories.
• The business incubator.
• Student services.
• Registration platforms.
• University transport systems.
• Educational platforms and academic services.

The official website also indicates the presence of a digital business incubator وPortal for Digital Platforms alongside laboratories and electronic journals.

The university has also launched a mobile application for university transport services called MyBus.

Accreditation and academic recognition

Larbi Ben M'hidi University is an Algerian public university institution operating within the Algerian higher education and scientific research system.

The university's legal status is based on the Algerian executive decrees that governed the institution's transition from a training school to an institute, then a university centre, and finally a university.

A distinction must be made between:

• Official recognition of the university.
• Accreditation of academic programmes.
• Quality management systems.
• International rankings.
• Sustainability indicators.

as each represents a different aspect of the institution's evaluation.

QS Ranking 2026

Larbi Ben M'hidi University's most prominent QS presence for 2026 is:

QS Sustainability Ranking 2026

1401–1500 worldwide

The university's band improved compared with its 2025 result, when it was placed within:

1501+

It thus moved in the Sustainability Rankings from the 1501+ band to 1401–1500 in the 2026 edition.

QS World University Rankings 2026

The university does not have a numerical rank in QS World University Rankings 2026.

Accordingly, the QS Sustainability result should not be presented as an overall QS World ranking.

The correct result:

QS Sustainability Rankings 2026: 1401–1500 worldwide.

Times Higher Education – THE 2026 Ranking

Larbi Ben M'hidi University – Oum El Bouaghi appears in Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026 Within the band:

1501+ globally

It also appears in the THE subject rankings:

The university's entry into the THE World University Rankings indicates that sufficient data exists to evaluate it within the global ranking system.

Its placement in the band 1001–1250 in Engineering and Physical Sciences provides an indication of the importance of the applied and scientific fields in the university's profile.

THE Impact Rankings 2026

The university achieves a relatively strong presence in THE Impact Rankings 2026, where it ranked:

401–600 globally

in the overall sustainability ranking.

It also appears in a number of Sustainable Development Goals:

These results stand out in particular SDG 15, where the university achieved the rank of 88th worldwide in the goal related to Life on Land — an indicator that merits a standalone highlight on the university's page.

Arab Ranking for Universities (ARU)

According to the results of Arab University Rankings 2025, Larbi Ben M'hidi University – Oum El Bouaghi ranked:

178th in the Arab world

and:

6th in Algeria

having obtained:

137.0 / 1000

according to data officially published by the Arab Ranking Council for Universities.

The score was distributed as follows:

Important timing note

As of September 2026, the ARU 2026 results have not yet been announced; the Council has set 22 December 2026 as the date for announcing the 2026 ranking results. The most recently published result is therefore ARU 2025.

This is very important on the platform's page so that the 2025 result is not attributed to 2026.

Rankings and Indicators Table 2026

Analytical Reading of the Rankings

Larbi Ben M'hidi University's results reveal three different dimensions of international presence.

First: Global presence

The university's presence in THE World University Rankings 2026 within 1501+ means that the university has entered the THE global ranking base.

Second: strength in science and engineering

Achieving 1001–1250 in Engineering and Physical Sciences reflects the importance of the scientific and engineering fields in the university's international profile.

Third: sustainability

The university's performance in the THE Impact Rankings is relatively notable, especially given its placement in 401–600 globally overall, and its attainment of 88th worldwide in SDG 15.

This provides the university with a strategic opportunity to build an international identity around:

Science + engineering + environment + water + sustainable cities + local development.

Strengths

1. Broad academic diversity

The university brings together sciences, engineering, architecture, economics, law, languages, social sciences, sport, and applied technologies.

2. Global presence in THE

The university's presence in THE World 2026 within 1501+ represents an official international presence.

3. Subject-level performance in Engineering and Physical Sciences

Achieving the 1001–1250 in both fields represents one of the most prominent elements of its ranking profile.

4. Relatively strong sustainability performance

Scoring The 401–600 band in THE Impact 2026 و88th worldwide in SDG 15 gives the university a distinctive area on which to build.

5. Diverse research activity

The university organises conferences and research projects in fields including dynamical systems, artificial intelligence, water, energy, smart cities, economics, and the humanities.

6. Advanced digital infrastructure

The university includes digital platforms, an electronic library, a business incubator, electronic journals, and student-service systems.

Key Development Opportunities

From the perspective of international rankings, a set of priorities can be identified:

1. Raising the quality of scientific research

Improving:

• The number of high-impact research outputs.
• Citations.
• Publishing in international journals.
• International research cooperation.

2. Turning sustainability strength into an institutional identity

Result SDG 15 = 88th worldwide represents a major opportunity to build a research brand around:

Biodiversity – environment – land – agriculture – climate change – water.

3. Developing engineering and applied sciences

The THE Engineering 1001–1250 result can be leveraged by focusing on:

• Engineering.
• Water.
• Energy.
• Artificial intelligence.
• Civil engineering.
• Smart cities.

4. Increasing international cooperation

The university needs to expand its joint research network with international universities, which would increase:

• Joint output.
• Citations.
• Academic presence.
• International funding opportunities.

5. Growing the international student body

QS records 40 international students only — a clear area that can be developed through English-language programmes and international exchange partnerships.

6. Strengthening the English-language digital presence

Clear English-language pages should be provided on:

• Researchers.
• The laboratories.
• Publications.
• Programs.
• The rankings.
• International partnerships.
• Sustainability.
• Patents.
• Research projects.

Proposed strategic vision

If the university wishes to improve its presence in international rankings, building a focused research identity may be more effective than trying to improve all areas equally.

The identity can be built around:

Smart & Sustainable University

under which four axes fall:

Science and engineering
↓
Water, energy and the environment
↓
Smart and sustainable cities
↓
Innovation and Artificial Intelligence

These axes align with the university's current academic and research activity and with its relatively strong results in the THE Impact Rankings.

Conclusion

Larbi Ben M'hidi University – Oum El Bouaghi An Algerian public university with roots dating back to 1983, it evolved from a teacher-training school into a specialised institute, then a university centre in 1997, and finally a full university in 2009.

The university comprises Seven faculties and three institutes covering a wide range of scientific, engineering, humanities, economic, legal and applied fields.

At the rankings level, the university maintains a presence in THE World University Rankings 2026 within 1501+, and1001–1250 in Engineering and Physical Sciences, and was placed within 401–600 in THE Impact Rankings 2026, with a notable result of 88th worldwide in SDG 15 – Life on Land.

And in QS Sustainability Rankings 2026 It placed within 1401–1500 worldwide, improving on the 1501+ band it recorded in 2025.

As for the Arab Ranking for Universities (ARU) 2025,, it ranked 178th in the Arab world and 6th in Algeria with a score of 137.0/1000. The ARU 2026 result has not yet been announced, as the Council has set its announcement date for 22 December 2026.

For the Top Arab Universities, the university can be described as:

a multi-disciplinary Algerian public university with a strong base in sciences, engineering and applied sciences, a global presence in THE, and relatively outstanding performance in sustainability rankings — particularly SDG 15 — giving it an opportunity to build a clearer international identity around science, engineering, environment, water, energy, and sustainable cities.

References and Sources

1. Larbi Ben M'hidi University – Oum El Bouaghi | Official Website
   Institutional information, faculties and institutes, digital platforms, scientific research and news.
2. Larbi Ben M'hidi University – Faculties and Institutes
   The university's official academic structure.
3. QS Top Universities – University of Oum El Bouaghi
   Institutional data, student and faculty numbers, and the QS Sustainability 2026 ranking.
4. Times Higher Education – University of Oum El Bouaghi
   THE World University Rankings 2026, subject rankings, and sustainability rankings.
5. Arab Ranking for Universities – ARU
   Larbi Ben M'hidi University's result in the 2025 ranking: 178th place with a score of 137.0/1000.
6. ARU – Official ranking dates
   The ARU 2026 results are scheduled to be announced on 22 December 2026.
7. Larbi Ben M'hidi University – International student support system
   International cooperation data and international student contact points in the faculties and institutes.
8. Larbi Ben M'hidi University – Scientific Research and Conferences
   National and international research activities and scientific fields.