His Excellency the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Mr. Yaqoub Ould Amin, presided today, Tuesday, at the Faculty of Legal and Political Sciences of the University of Nouakchott, over the inauguration of the mock educational courtroom, in the presence of several university officials, representatives of the United Nations system, and actors from the academic and judicial fields.
This educational courtroom aims to strengthen the practical training of students in legal and political sciences, to bridge theoretical education with the realities of judicial practice, and to develop their operational skills in the field of litigation.
In his speech on the occasion, the President of the University of Nouakchott, Mr. Ali Mohamed Salem Ould El-Bekhayri, emphasized that the inauguration of this mock educational courtroom represents a qualitative step forward in the modernization of legal and judicial training. He noted that this academic space will enable students to combine theoretical knowledge with practical applications, thereby enhancing their readiness for professional integration and raising the quality of higher education outputs in this field.
He explained that this project falls within the framework of a fruitful partnership with the United Nations system, particularly the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), supported by the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund. He considered this cooperation to reflect mutual trust and embody the partners' commitment to supporting the rule of law, entrenching the values of justice, and investing in the training of youth and women.
He added that the University of Nouakchott is proud to host this pioneering project, which strengthens its role as a key actor in the reform and development of legal education in Mauritania. He reaffirmed the university's commitment to continuing openness to high-quality partnerships that contribute to building a more professional and inclusive justice system, responsive to society's aspirations.
For her part, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Mauritania, Ms. Laila Peters, affirmed that the inauguration of this courtroom at the Faculty of Legal and Political Sciences of the University of Nouakchott constitutes a major step in strengthening the rule of law and linking university training to the practical exercise of justice professions. She praised the efforts made by the Mauritanian government to modernize the judicial system, improve access to justice, and the shared will to prepare a new generation of jurists capable of addressing current and future challenges.
She highlighted that achieving effective and reliable justice remains contingent on ensuring the full participation of women in judicial professions and conflict prevention mechanisms. She noted that this joint project, implemented by the United Nations system with support from the Peacebuilding Fund, aims to narrow the gap between theoretical education and practical application, to empower female students—particularly young women—by enabling them to acquire realistic professional skills, thereby contributing to entrenching inclusive justice, strengthening trust in institutions, and supporting social peace.
