Key stakeholders from European and Tunisian higher education sectors convened on May 28 for a major cluster meeting focused on the future of EU-funded academic reform projects.
The event, titled “CBHE Projects in Tunisia,” was jointly organized by the Erasmus+ Tunisia National Office, the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA), the Tunisian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the EU Delegation to Tunisia, and the Tunisian National Agency for the Promotion of Scientific Research.
Representatives from 30 Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) projects, alongside national authorities and EU institutions, used the forum to share best practices, tackle persistent challenges, and draft recommendations to enhance the impact and longevity of these initiatives.
Spotlight on Success: RAQMYAT and DIRASA
Two projects highlighted as models of success featured the involvement of UNIMED, the Mediterranean Universities Union.
The RAQMYAT project, coordinated by UNIMED, was presented as a completed initiative with a lasting legacy. This consortium, involving seven Tunisian universities, the Tunisian Ministry of Higher Education, and three European partners, concluded in October 2024. Its focus was promoting digital culture in social sciences and humanities. Through targeted training, summer schools, and eight online courses, it has bolstered university competitiveness and interdisciplinary research. Officials noted its direct influence on national policy and the development of digital tools for doctoral education.
Meanwhile, the ongoing DIRASA project, coordinated by the University of Sfax with UNIMED as a key partner, aims to transform research governance. Encompassing all 13 Tunisian public universities, relevant ministries, and European partners from Italy and France, the project seeks to strengthen the national research system through structured dialogue and scientific cooperation.
A Commitment to Sustained Collaboration
With ten member universities in Tunisia, UNIMED emphasized its continued commitment to fostering innovation and capacity development across the Euro-Mediterranean region.
The overarching conclusion of the high-level meeting was a reinforced consensus on the critical importance of international academic cooperation. Participants agreed that CBHE projects are vital instruments for aligning higher education transformation with sustainable national and regional development goals.
TunisianMonitorOnline (NejiMed)
