General information about the higher education system in the country
In Tunisia, higher education system is organized around 12 public universities, 1 virtual university and a General Directorate of Technological Studies (DGET) and includes 207 public HEIs, 25 Higher Institutes of Technological Studies (ISET), 37 doctoral schools and 77 private establishments. Furthermore, the national research system is organized into 13 technological poles hosting some research centers, 39 research centers active in different fields, 448 research laboratories, 93 research units (UR) and 26 specialized units and 60 units for common research services with many scientific facilities to support the research community.
All these national research system components are supported by several institutions and public entities, as: Algorithmic Computing Center-El-Khawarizmi Computing Center (CCK), National University Center for Scientific and Technical Documentation - CNUDST, National Agency for the Promotion of Scientific Research - ANPR, University Publication Center -CPU, national agency for evaluation, quality assurance and accreditation, ATEA, and City of Sciences and Palace of Sciences – CST. The total number of students enrolled during the 2022-2023 academic year are 305,918 students which are 14.7% of them are from the private sector (65.9% female). Considering the university staff, the Tunisian higher education system is consolidated for the same academic year 2022-2023, by 23,525 permanent teachers and 13,821 contract teachers.
Based on the 2008 law (No. 2008-19 February 25, 2008) Tunisian HE system adopted the LMD system (bachelor's, master's, doctorate); In accordance with the standards defined by the Bologna Process, the current higher education system in Tunisia delivers the following diplomas: License after 3 years of study,Masters after 2 subsequent years of study; Doctorate 3 to 5 years after the first 2 cycles. However, some specific fields of study provide for different study durations (engineering, architecture, medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine). In addition, the transfer to the credit system has enabled Tunisian HEIs to strengthen the international dimension and facilitate the mobility of students and staff within cooperation projects. The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Tunisia, MESRS, is responsible for:
- Develop and implement higher education and scientific research policy.
- Monitor the activities of universities, higher education and research establishments and research structures.
- Monitor the university life of students and coordinate the activities of the university works offices.
- Coordinate and monitor international cooperation actions in higher education and scientific research.
The national higher education strategy aims to improve the quality of university training, the employability of graduates, promote the educational training of teachers and promote good governance and optimize the management of resources within universities and establishments. higher education.
Information on recent policy updates, major reforms and related news
The Tunisian MESRS had been actively implementing various reforms to enhance the quality and relevance of higher education:
- In terms of governance and autonomy, Higher Education in Tunisia is undergoing a radical reform and change in the university landscape; the Council of Ministers in Tunisia awarded the status of public scientific and technological institution (EPST) to 6 universities and 9 higher education and research institutions on January 15, 2022, so far. To note, the EPST status is a special category of public institutions created by Decree No. 2008-3581 of November 21, 2008, setting the conditions for transforming the character of universities, higher education and research institutions, from EPA to EPST. EPST status allows the university establishment to comply with international quality standards, to acquire financial autonomy, to improve its governance and to develop its management procedures towards international standards and best practices.
- In terms of Assurance quality: A new agency, named the Tunisian Agency for Evaluation and Accreditation in Higher Education and Scientific Research (ATEA), has been officially launched within a decree of law in 2022. The launch of this structure is the culmination of a set of reforms via Presidential Decree No. 46 for the year 2022 published on June 28, 2022. According to this decree, the Agency will be responsible for evaluating universities and public and private higher education and research establishments, the evaluation of public scientific research establishments, the accreditation of public and private, national and international higher education and research establishments or their training programs at their request, as well as suspension or withdrawal of accreditation.
Information about relevant projects and initiatives
N | Objectives | Length of project | Keywords | Links | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | DIRASA « Définition d’un renouvellement de la gouvernance de la recherche en Tunisie» | Le projet DIRASA entend partir des priorités de recherche définies dans le plan stratégique du MESRS pour: -Renforcer concrètement les capacités des universités et centres de recherche en termes de veille stratégique et prospective scientifique en améliorant les mécanismes de détermination des priorités de la recherche nationale et des besoins du pays en termes d’innovation, de R&D et de coopération internationale. - Permettre une meilleure coordination à niveau national entre universités, centres de recherche, structures et laboratoires de recherche avec le MESRS, l’ANPR et le CNEAR (Centre national d’évaluation de la recherche). -Renforcer concrètement les capacités des universités et centres de recherche en développant son système de gouvernance interne et d’assurance qualité. - Améliorer la visibilité et la notoriété de la recherche soit à niveau national soit à niveau international, en établissant un dialogue permanent avec les utilisateurs potentiels des résultats de la recherche. | Gouvernance, système de recherche en Tunisie | ||
2 | PASE (EU): The Education Sector Support Program | aims in a systemic approach, to support reforms and improve the performance of the large human capital sector in Tunisia for the period 2024/2028. Its general objective is to Improve the inclusiveness and performance of the education system. | 2024-2028 | HE, capacity building, gouvernance, digitalisation, mechanisms for managing universities, adequacy with socio-economic environment, capacity building of the ATEA | |
3 | Savoir éco | The “Savoirs éco” project, funded by the European Union and implemented by Expertise France, aims to support the public debate on economic issues in Tunisia by strengthening structures producing knowledge with an economic vocation (SPSE). More specifically, the project aims to encourage the strengthening and emergence of SPSEs engaged in scientific and operational research and to promote the popularization, dissemination and even experimentation of analyses produced by SPSEs, in particular those which integrate issues of social justice and gender equality. | 2023-2026 | capacity building, scientific and operational studies and analyses, call for projects | https://savoirseco.tn /presentation/ |
4 | MEDACCR | The MEDACCR project focuses on “Online Quality Assurance and EUR-ACE Accreditation of Engineering Programmes in the Mediterranean Region” | 20218-2020 | Accreditation, assurance quality, certification, EURACE label, engineering schools | https://www.ensit.tn/2020/01 |
5 | SAGESSE, Amélioration de la Gouvernance dans le système de l’EnSeignement Supérieur en Tunisie | Création d'un système intégré de définition et de contrôle de la qualité (SIDCQ), pour la réalisation de nouvelles procédures décisionnelles et de gestion, à travers le renforcement des capacités et compétences du personnel académique, administratif et des dirigeants; Définition d’un cadre de bonne gouvernance pour promouvoir l’installation d’une cellule de l’e-administration qui visera à proposer une structure de gestion financière innovante, performante et plus autonome; Engagement d’un leadership à tous les niveaux ainsi qu’une volonté politique favorisant l’adoption d’une planification stratégique à travers la production des plans d’actions; Agir sur les politiques futures pour consolider, améliorer et développer des nouveaux mécanismes d’ assurance qualité. | 3 ans | Bonne gouvernance, e- administration, planification stratégique,planification budgétaire | |
| 6 | TUNED (Erasmus+): TUnisian Network for Employability and Development of graduates' skills. | The project is aiming at supporting the ongoing reform of the higher education system in Tunisia, in order to improve the match between universities education and the labour market requirements, enhancing the efficiency of the whole higher education system by a certified system of quality assurance and the monitoring of higher education programmes and graduates. | 2016-2019 | match between universities education and the labour market requirements, monitoring of higher education programmes and graduates. | https://www.tuned-project.eu/ |
| 7 | SALEEM (Erasmus+): STRUCTURING AND SUPPORTING STUDENT ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN THE MAGHREB | It aims to promote student entrepreneurship in Morocco and Tunisia via: The creation of a national system of student entrepreneurs within the higher education systems of the two countries, allowing a business creation project to be integrated into the university curriculum. The creation of support centers for student entrepreneurs within higher education institutions, drawing inspiration from the best practices developed in Belgium, Romania and France, in particular Pépite France (the network of 29 student centers for innovation, transfer and entrepreneurship). | 2017-2020 | Entrepreneur Student status (SEE). pôle of students, law decree, | https://www.projet-saleem.org/ |
| 8 | ARESSE: Appui à la Recherche et l’Enseignement Supérieur pour le Secteur de l’ Environnement | The project aims to promote research, green innovation and technology transfer in the field of the environment. ARESSE will allow to: Finance research projects focused on environmental issues specific to Tunisia. Develop training programs to train future researchers and environmental professionals. Create collaboration networks between universities, research centers and economic actors. | 2023-2027 | Green Edu, Green culture | |
| 9 | SWAFY: Scince_with_and_for_youth | Contribute to improving the employability of young Tunisians by strengthening the spirit of creativity and entrepreneurship and the added value of research. | 24-30 Months | Science, youth, students, STEM
| https://www.facebook.com /swafyproject/?locale=fr_FR |
Other relevant links
- Ministery MESRS: https://www.mes.tn/index.php?code_menu=6
- NEO Office: https://www.erasmusplus.tn/
- Decree-Law 2022-46 of June 24, 2022, establishing the Tunisian Agency for Evaluation and Accreditation
in Higher Education and Scientific Research
https://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/docs/ELECTRONIC/113143/141677/F-427397422/TUN-113143.pdf - Decree n° 2009-2139 of July 8, 2009, fixing the national classification of qualifications. 2009-07-08 (TUN-
2009-R-81846) - Law n° 2008-19 of February 25, 2008, relating to higher education :
http://www.mes.tn/image/pdf/loi_2008_19_fr.pdf - Law No. 2008-19 February 25, 2008, http://www.isamgb.rnu.tn/files/jort_30_06_2009.pdf
Technical Assistance Missions Reports
2023
- Quality assurance and accreditation in higher education in Tunisia
- Internationalisation of Higher Education Institutions
- Autonomy and contractual arrangements between the government and universities: Lessons learnt, issues and challenges for universities – Perspectives from the EU, Morocco and Tunisia (with Morocco)