Meyer Jean-Baptiste auteur aut IRD Benguerna M. auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng Higher education in Algeria is not well known in international spheres, apart from a few local studies. However, it is an exceptional case study for its outstanding achievements in recent history and particularly its growing pace. This article aims to describe the evolution of the higher education system at the country level through an analysis of national statistics gathered by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MESRS). The current article puts the case study in a historical perspective although concentrates on the most recent trends to describe the social issues at stake as a result of the introduction of current reforms and policies. The findings of the current study have been contextualized through different factors such as quality assessment and control, role of the private sector, international collaborations/integration, links with its economic and social environment and employability of students. Furthermore, this article also addresses the issue of the applicability of international norms within the higher education systems of developing countries. Finally, this article identifies and discusses the current developments in higher education that are changing in Algerian society today. specialized ALGERIE 106EDUC 106GESOC2 112HISTO 18 3 229-241 2019 1474-2748 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010081561 10.1386/tmsd_00007_1 1474-2748 [F B010081561] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010081561 Accès réservé (Intranet de l'IRD) IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2021-04-20 2021-07-21 fdi:010081561 fre