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Prof. Dr. Suzan Elkalliny, Media Advisor to the President of Ain Shams University, affirmed that the discussion surrounding a potential reduction in the duration of study at the Faculty of Business does not represent a “new statement,” but rather took place within the framework of an academic conference that addressed the development of the academic bylaws to keep pace with contemporary developments and labor market demands, through the adoption of the globally applied credit hours system.

In a phone interview with the Sabahak Masry program on MBC, Elkalliny explained that the proposed system aims to reduce the total number of required credit hours from 144 to 127, alongside updating course content to align with technological advancements. She noted that high-achieving students may be able to complete their studies within three to three and a half years, while the duration may extend beyond four years for academically struggling students, depending on their performance.

She stressed that students currently enrolled will continue under the four-year academic system until graduation, while the new system, once officially approved and announced, will apply only to new cohorts. She also highlighted that orientation programs will be organized to explain the credit hours mechanism to incoming students.

Elkalliny further clarified that the approval of any new academic bylaw is carried out through the relevant sector committees of the Supreme Council of Universities, emphasizing that the implementation of the credit hours system is not mandatory for all faculties or universities. Rather, it reflects a broader direction adopted by the Ministry of Higher Education to modernize curricula and strengthen their linkage with both local and international labor markets. She underscored Ain Shams University’s leading role in academic partnerships and practical training initiatives aimed at enhancing graduates’ competencies.

In a separate phone interview with CBC Extra, Elkalliny reiterated that the official duration of study at the Faculty of Business remains four full academic years, and that the proposal to shorten the period is part of the credit hours framework and has not yet received formal approval.

She added that the draft bylaw, currently under review, seeks to reduce the total credit hours from 144 to 127. Graduation within three years, she emphasized, is not a general rule but depends on student excellence, as outstanding students may complete the required credits in a minimum of three years (approximately six to seven semesters) by registering for additional courses each term. The proposed bylaw also aims to modernize curricula in line with global developments, including the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and the enhancement of courses related to the stock market and international commercial markets.