Tunisian and Algerian Ministers Call for Enhanced Research Partnerships
The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Mondher Belaïd, called yesterday, Tuesday, in Algiers, for further strengthening of research partnerships between Tunisia and Algeria, creating joint laboratories and research centers, and developing joint master's and doctoral programs.
7th Forum of Tunisian and Algerian Border Universities
Presiding over the 7th Forum of Tunisian and Algerian Border Universities, held at the Mohamed Cherif Messaadia University of Souk Ahras, alongside his Algerian counterpart, Kamel Baddari, Belaïd also called for intensifying teacher and student exchanges and setting up common digital platforms for teaching and research, according to a statement from the ministry.
The meeting brought together several presidents and directors of border universities from both countries, as well as a group of teachers, researchers, and experts in the field of higher education and scientific research, in addition to regional and local authorities, economic partners, and students from both countries.
Bilateral Cooperation
Meanwhile, Belaïd met with his Algerian counterpart during a meeting dedicated to following up on bilateral scientific and university cooperation. The two ministers emphasized its strategic nature and the need to continue working together to develop it.
The minister affirmed that Tunisian-Algerian cooperation in the field of higher education and scientific research is an important pillar of bilateral relations, highlighting its richness and diversity of activities and frameworks, particularly the border universities agreement (5+5), which has proven its effectiveness as an active framework for supporting joint academic and research projects and strengthening knowledge integration.
He also emphasized that digital transformation has become a strategic choice for the development of higher education systems, strengthening innovation, and building a knowledge economy, highlighting the central role of border universities as bridges for academic integration and drivers of economic and social development in border areas.
Role of Border Universities
On his part, the Algerian minister reaffirmed the role of border universities in creating added economic and social value and responding to the challenges of sustainable development, particularly in border regions, calling for further dynamization of research, renovation, and innovation within the framework of the Tunisian-Algerian partnership.
On this occasion, the two ministers visited an exhibition of innovative projects carried out by students from universities in both countries.
Forum Outcomes
The forum's work resulted in a series of practical recommendations aimed at strengthening the process of Tunisian-Algerian university cooperation and developing academic and research partnerships between border universities. It was also agreed that the University of Kairouan will host the next edition of the forum.
Bilateral Agreements
Several bilateral agreements were signed on the sidelines of the forum between Tunisian and Algerian universities within the framework of (5+5). These agreements aim to strengthen academic and research cooperation, exchange expertise, and develop joint programs in various specialties, opening up broader prospects for students, teachers, and researchers from both countries.
