Tunisia’s Higher Education Accreditation Agency Holds Third Workshop on National Accreditation Framework
The Tunisian Agency for Evaluation and Accreditation in Higher Education and Scientific Research (Atea) recently convened its third workshop in Tunis to validate the national accreditation reference framework for higher‑education institutions and scientific research bodies.
The event brought together university representatives and socio‑economic stakeholders to examine and enrich the draft framework, which aims to guarantee the quality of programmes and boost the international recognition of Tunisian diplomas.
Partnership and Funding
The workshop was organized in partnership with the Integrated Support Programme for the Education Sector – Specific Objective 3 (Pase‑OS3), co‑financed by the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and implemented by GIZ Tunisia.
Objectives of the Reference Framework
The reference framework under discussion is intended to provide universities with a rigorous, internationally‑aligned accreditation system. Its goals are to:
- Ensure the quality of academic programmes;
- Strengthen institutional performance;
- Increase the global academic recognition of Tunisian degrees.
Opening Remarks
The opening of the workshop was delivered by Salma Damak, Director‑General of Atea, in the presence of representatives from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the European Union, and GIZ Tunisia.
Programme Highlights
- Presentation of the overall vision, structure, and criteria of the accreditation framework, together with the rationale behind the strategic choices made.
- Interactive panels adopting a participatory approach, which addressed:
- The alignment between accreditation and graduate employability;
- The incorporation of sector‑specific particularities, involving professional orders and employer organisations.
The workshop marked a significant step toward finalising a robust accreditation system that will help Tunisian higher‑education institutions meet international standards and improve the prospects of their graduates on the global labour market.
