The Egyptian Women and Higher Eduacation (1908-1952). Women's Struggle from Academic Deprivation to Community Leadership

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• The preliminary chapter: The woman status and her Education pre-1908
  • Al-Harem era and the beginning of unveiled women
  • The Girls' education pre-1908
• Chapter One: The development of higher education in Egypt
  • The education during the era of Mohamed Ali's family
  • Establishing the national University
  • Developmenet of the national University
  • The governmental University
  • The American University
  • The University of Farouq I
  • The University of Ibrahim Pasha
  • Al-Azhar of Development
  • The high institutes
• Chapter Two: The Egyptian woman's joining to the university and the society's position regarding this matter
  • The feminist department at the old universities.
  • The girls' joining to the new university.
  • Male-mixing and uniform issue
• Chapter Three: The Egyptian woman in higher education
  • The female students in the new University.
  • The female missions.
  • The higher institutes for girls.
• Chapter Four: The graduated girls and work fields

Objectives and Key Themes

This study explores the history of Egyptian women's access to and participation in higher education between 1908 and 1952, highlighting their journey from academic deprivation to becoming community leaders. It analyzes the development of higher education in Egypt, the societal reactions to women's university entrance, and the subsequent roles women assumed in various fields after graduation.

• The evolution of higher education in Egypt
• Societal and cultural barriers to women's education
• The struggle for women's university access and inclusion
• The impact of women's education on societal roles and perspectives
• The contributions of Egyptian women in various professional fields

Chapter Summaries

The preliminary chapter examines the status of women in Egypt before 1908, focusing on the Harem era and its influence on women's education. It highlights the role of reformers, such as Refa'a Rafe' Al-Tahtawy, Mohammed Abdo, and Qassem Ameen, who advocated for women's education, as well as the efforts of the ruling family in establishing girls' schools.

Chapter One details the development of higher education in Egypt, beginning with the establishment of high schools under Mohammed Ali's reign. It traces the establishment of the national university, its transformation into a governmental institution, and the subsequent development of other universities, such as the American university, the University of Farouq I, and the University of Ibrahim Pasha. It also examines the evolution of Al-Azhar, which transitioned from a traditional religious institution to a modern university, and discusses the rise of specialized high institutes.

Chapter Two delves into the initial challenges faced by women in accessing higher education, particularly the feminist department at the national university and the subsequent efforts to integrate women into the Egyptian university. It addresses the societal debates surrounding issues like male-female mixing and the appropriate attire for female students.

Chapter Three explores the achievements and contributions of female students within the university. It examines their participation in various activities, including political demonstrations, sports, social work, and literary pursuits. It also investigates the role of women's missions abroad for studying and the establishment of higher institutes for girls to provide specialized education.

Chapter Four analyzes the diverse fields in which female graduates found employment. It delves into women's prominent roles as teachers, doctors, lawyers, journalists, artists, pilots, and scientists, highlighting their individual achievements and the societal shift in accepting women's presence in professional spheres.

Keywords

This work focuses on the history of Egyptian women's education, societal attitudes towards women's roles, the development of higher education in Egypt, the Egyptian women's movement, women's access to higher education, female participation in various professional fields, and the changing social and cultural landscape of Egypt during the early twentieth century.