Academics and experts from Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco and Europe agreed on the need to strengthen Euro-Mediterranean cooperation to modernise the education systems in the region and adjust it to scientific progress and innovation, at a Maghrebi Conference on Higher Education Reform in Tunis.

The conference, organised by the Tunisian Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Technology, was part of Tempus-4, a European Commission programme running from 2007-2013 that aims to promote the employability of graduates by improving the quality of training, diversifying university branches and enhancing academic management.

The event gave the Maghreb representatives the opportunity to benefit from European experiences of introducing applied education at bachelor level and of professional masters degrees within Tempus-4, reported Tunisia Online News.

Conference participants also discussed academic and institutional partnerships to ease exchanges of students, professors and researchers as well as training courses and scientific meetings.

Lazhar Bououni, Tunisian Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Technology, said the Tempus partnership "encourages creativity in the fields of education, innovative businesses, modernising training for technological studies as well as establishment of joint diplomas".

* Joel Bertrand, President of the advanced research network on aeronautic and space technologies based in Toulouse, France, met Bououni to discuss boosting cooperation and partnerships with Tunisia, particularly in exchanges of students, university delegations and research in scientific and engineering fields.

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