Tunisian EURAXESS Network

Project Information

TEN

Grant agreement ID: 101035522

DOI

10.3030/101035522

Project closed

EC signature date 11 May 2021

Start date 1 June 2021

End date 31 May 2024

Funded under

• Make scientific and technological careers attractive to young students, and forster sustainable interaction between schools, research institutions, industry and civil society organisations

Total cost

€ 200 000,00

EU contribution

€ 200 000,00

Coordinated by

MINISTRY OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
Tunisia

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - TEN (Tunisian EURAXESS Network)

Reporting period: 2021-06-01 to 2024-05-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The Tunisian EURAXESS Network project aims to enhance researcher mobility and career development in Tunisia, providing greater access to international opportunities, resources, and networks. By leveraging EURAXESS, Tunisian researchers can contribute more effectively to the global scientific community and increase the impact of their research. Improving researcher mobility and career development is crucial for fostering innovation and addressing global challenges such as climate change, health crises, and socio-economic disparities. The project seeks to strengthen Tunisia's role in both national and international scientific efforts, showcasing its commitment to research excellence.

The Tunisian EURAXESS Network project has several key objectives:
1. Enhancing Researcher Mobility: Facilitate the movement of researchers to and from Tunisia, enabling access to international collaborations, advanced facilities, and diverse intellectual environments.
2. Career Development: Provide resources, training, and guidance to support researchers' professional growth and career navigation within the global research community.
3. Establishing a National EURAXESS Network: Develop a comprehensive network in Tunisia, centered around the Tunisian EURAXESS Portal. This portal will serve as a central hub for information, resources, and services related to mobility and career development.
4. Extending Impact Beyond National Boundaries: Integrate the Tunisian research community with international networks to enhance global scientific cooperation.
5. Developing Key Resources: Create essential tools like a Help Desk manual and specialized guides for researchers, aiding them in navigating international mobility and research integration.
6. Establishing EURAXESS Contact Points and Service Centers: Set up Contact Points and Service Centers across Tunisia to offer dedicated support and guidance, facilitating easier access to resources and enhancing the research environment.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Achievements
1. Launch and Maintenance of the Tunisian EURAXESS Portal:
The portal was successfully launched, offering a centralized platform for information and resources related to mobility and career development. Regular updates on job offers and promotional activities, including a video and three information days, have been implemented.
2. Development of a National EURAXESS Network:
The project has established a comprehensive network supported by the Bridge Head Office (BHO), integrating Tunisia into the European research landscape and improving researcher access to resources and opportunities.
3. Designation of EURAXESS Contact Points and Service Centers:
Set up of several Contact Points and Service Centers providing dedicated support and networking opportunities, engaging with programs like Horizon Europe and Erasmus+.
4. Creation of Key Resources:
Several tools such as a Help Desk manual and specialized guides to assist researchers with international mobility and research integration have been developed.
5. Communication and Dissemination Campaigns:
Conducted campaigns through social media, newsletters, and flyers. Organized information days and presented EURAXESS at various events, enhancing visibility and engagement.
6. Organization and Participation in Relevant Events:
Participated in and organized various EURAXESS-related events, including conferences and info days, showcasing Tunisia's research initiatives and fostering international collaboration.
Main Results Achieved
1. Improved Career Development Support:
Access to resources and training through the EURAXESS Portal has empowered researchers to navigate their careers effectively.
2. Greater International Visibility:
Increased Tunisia’s visibility within the EURAXESS network and global research community through active participation in events and dissemination efforts.
3. Enhanced Capacity Building:
Benefited from online workshops and study visits to European EURAXESS centers, improving local capacity and strategies for researcher support.
4. Effective Dissemination:
Dissemination efforts have successfully kept researchers informed about opportunities and resources, increasing engagement and awareness.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The TEN project led to the establishment of a BHO, 3 EURAXESS Service Centers and 11 EURAXESS Contact Points, enhancing support for researcher mobility and career development. Economically, it created 4 new jobs and published 43 job offers and 2 funding opportunities on the EURAXESS portal. Capacity-building efforts included 2 study visits, 4 workshops, and 5 training sessions. The project also organized 4 major events with around 500 attendees, participated in TESI2 with over 300 attendees, and garnered 26 media mentions, including 9 digital press articles and TV coverage, significantly raising visibility and impact.

The project engaged the research community through various communication channels, reaching 2.1K followers on Facebook, 78 on X (Twitter), and 124 on LinkedIn, with 1.2K live-stream views during peak events. Six newsletters and three promotional articles about EURAXESS Tunisia were published in Austria, Switzerland, and Luxembourg, highlighting the project's international outreach. Additionally, communication tools were developed, including a Help Desk manual, two guides for incoming and outgoing researchers, and the distribution of 3,000 EURAXESS flyers along with over 500 promotional items to raise awareness of the network.

EURAXESS Tunisia