1.4.3 – Does your university as a body organise training or programmes to improve access to basic services for all?

University Program to Improve Access to Basic Services (Health and Well-being)
The University of El Oued, as an institutional body, organizes scientific and practical programs to improve community access to Basic Services, specifically targeting the Health and Standard of Living components through psychological support and professional integration. These programs are coordinated by the Psychological Assistance Center, ensuring that essential well-being services are directly provided and improved for community members, especially vulnerable groups.
Program and Institutional Mechanism
The university orchestrated a two-day National Scientific Seminar on May 8-9, 2024, focused on “The Vision for Professional Integration in the Labor Market to Reduce Professional Future Anxiety for Students with Disabilities (and all categories).” This seminar was a major collaborative effort involving the Psychological Assistance Center, the Faculty of Social Sciences, and specialized student clubs. The institutional priority of the program was confirmed by the attendance of the Dean, the Director of the Psychological Assistance Center, and representatives from external professional and governmental bodies, including those related to civil service and vocational training.
Direct Improvement of Access to Health Services
The seminar served as a crucial program to improve community access to basic mental health services (a component of the “Health” definition) in two primary ways:

1. Accessible Psychological Resources: The event included a dedicated exhibition showcasing the psychological tests and diagnostic tools available at the Psychological Assistance Center. These resources were explicitly offered and explained to students with disabilities to help them raise their self-esteem and self-confidence. By publicly demonstrating and explaining the center’s services, the university actively promotes and improves access to essential psychological support for its community.

2. Addressing Core Health Anxiety: The foundational goal of the entire two-day program was to alleviate “Professional Future Anxiety,” which is a significant mental health concern. By bringing together experts and researchers to construct a practical framework for job market integration, the university delivered a strategic intervention aimed at mitigating psychological distress and improving the overall well-being of students, thus enhancing the community’s access to mental health support.
Furthermore, the program included complementary activities, such as a Braille language workshop and sports activities, confirming a holistic approach to enhancing the overall standard of living and functional well-being for participants.

Open Doors at the University of El Oued for the Professional Association of Banks and Financial Institutions (ABEF) on Financial Education and Inclusion
The university of El Oued hosted an Open Doors Event on November 12, 2024, organized by the Professional Association of Banks and Financial Institutions (ABEF), focusing on Financial Education and Inclusion. The event was explicitly directed at the entire university family, aiming for effective and sustainable banking inclusion.
Mechanism and Contribution to Standard of Living
The program directly improves access to the Standard of Living component of basic services by providing focused education and resources:

1. Financial Literacy and Assets: The event’s core goal was to promote financial culture and increase awareness of the benefits of electronic payment. Enhancing financial literacy and safe access to banking services are fundamental requirements for individuals to effectively manage their income, save, and acquire assets, which is a key measure of the standard of living definition.

2. Access to Digital Services: Local bank representatives showcased various banking services, particularly electronic payment methods (bank cards, mobile applications, internet wallets). By encouraging and facilitating the use of these tools, the university helps modernize financial transactions for its community, making financial life easier for students and staff and improving speed, security, and ease of access to funds.
3. Institutional Reach: By partnering with the ABEF—the association representing the entire banking sector—the university organized a program that ensures wide access to professional financial information and services for its entire population, improving their fundamental capacity to participate in the formal economy.
The university, therefore, successfully organized a program that improves access to essential modern financial mechanisms, directly raising the community’s capacity to manage their assets and standard of living.