Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research Launches VERT' DEMAIN Event
The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has launched the VERT' DEMAIN event, which is part of the ARESSE project (Support for Research and Higher Education in the Environmental Sector). This project, co-financed by the European Union and the National Agency for the Promotion of Scientific Research (ANPR), mobilizes a budget of €11.5 million over four years, aiming to position Tunisia as a major player in environmental research in the Mediterranean.
ARESSE Project: Structuring an Ecosystem for Sustainable Development
The ARESSE project aims to structure an ecosystem integrating training, applied research, and green entrepreneurship, while promoting young researchers to valorize their work for sustainable development.
EU-Tunisia Scientific Cooperation
Rajeh Khemiri, in charge of international cooperation and aid at the European Union Delegation in Tunisia, recalled that scientific cooperation between the EU and Tunisia dates back to well before the 1995 association agreement. He noted that Tunisia became in 2016 the only Arab and African country associated with the Horizon Europe program, a status still in force and which he believes needs to be further valorized. He also pointed out that despite progress, the participation of the private sector remains insufficient in projects, calling for better involvement of the latter and diversification of beneficiary actors.
ARESSE Project: Prolonging Initiatives to Bridge Research and Socio-Economic World
Chedly Abdelly, Director-General of ANPR and National Director of the ARESSE project, highlighted that the ARESSE project prolongs previous initiatives aimed at bridging research and the socio-economic world. He emphasized the NouveauDoc program, which funds young researchers for high-impact projects, allowing direct collaborations with enterprises. He stated that this mechanism promotes professional integration, innovation, and reinforces the valorization of research results. According to him, this dual academic and professional training approach has already led to the creation of and a significant increase in patent deposits.
ARESSE Project: Democratizing Access to Innovation
The ARESSE project also plans to create creativity clubs in 250 educational institutions across the country, as well as strengthening technology transfer offices in universities. The goal is to democratize access to innovation, particularly in regions.
