Presidential hopefuls’ HE plans avoid key issues – Expert

Scientific research, the knowledge economy, human resource development, restoration of education facilities, and tapping the diaspora are among topics included in electoral statements ahead of Tunisia’s presidential elections on 6 October. But graduate unemployment and brain drain go unmentioned, according to an expert.

The three candidates who are running for the presidency include the incumbent Kais Saied, a retired professor of law who is the only independent candidate in the political contest and who has been in power since October 2019.

The others are Zouhaier Maghzaoui, a candidate of the Echaâb (People) Movement, and Ayachi Zammel, head of the opposition Azimoun Party, who received a prison term last week in a case related to charges of falsifying voter signatures on his candidacy paperwork – charges he denies.

On education

Kais Saied indicated in his election manifesto published on 15 September that he will restore public education facilities to their former glory, rebuild public institutions in general and introduce new legislation that will help the state resume its social role.

Diasporans

In his election manifesto published on 14 September, Zouhaier Maghzaoui called for an “empowered Tunisia based on a modern public service that keeps pace with the needs of society in terms of good education … sustainable development … digital and smart management, and innovative scientific research”.

Maghzaoui also called for a “green Tunisia” which will be achieved through “an agricultural revolution that bets on achieving self-sufficiency and food sovereignty by adopting a new policy that takes into account the water crisis and climate change”.

Maghzaoui has described Tunisians abroad as “indispensable national capital” in the building of the “desired social democratic republic”, describing them as “true ambassadors of their country”. He said their “contributions to the development of their country do not need a certificate from anyone”.

Young talents

In his election manifesto published on 17 September, Ayachi Zammel pledged to develop basic services such as education and called for the “building [of] an economy of wealth, intelligence and diversity, based on investment in natural and human resources, in which opportunities for success and excellence are generalised by relying on young talents”.

He indicated that this could be done by opening the way for Tunisian youth to engage in the global digital economy “without any restrictions” along with “investing and supporting cultural and digital industries to enable youth to be creative and participate in the global knowledge economy”.

Graduate unemployment, brain drain

As pointed out by Professor Atta-ur-Rahman, former coordinator general of the Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation of the 57-country Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, of which Tunisia is a member, the presidential candidates have “left out several key problems facing the higher education sector, including graduate unemployment and academic brain drain”.

The unemployment rate among higher education graduates in Tunisia reached 23.4% in the first quarter of 2024 and Tunisia currently ranks 92 out of 134 countries in the Global Talent Competitive Index for 2023, which reflects the relatively weak contribution of its higher education system to skills development, and talent attraction and retention.

According to data published in a 2022 report on migration in the Middle East and North Africa region, migration from Tunisia is considered by nearly half the population and “remains an option, especially for the younger, better educated generations, mainly to escape economic hardships”.

Atta-ur-Rahman said he hoped the new Tunisian ruler intended to “support universities to play their crucial role in reducing graduate unemployment by aligning higher education with market demands and equipping students with practical, career-oriented skills.

“Tunisian universities must also be supported to establish data-driven decision-making systems, such as tracking employability trends and collecting employer feedback, to allow them to refine their offerings and close the gap between education and industry needs,” he told University World News.

Innovation policy

He said the presidential candidates had also left out a key prerequisite for socio-economic development: the need to formulate and implement a robust national innovation policy to foster economic development, enhance global competitiveness and promote sustainability.

“This is essential to promote university-industrial linkages and foster industrial growth through the manufacture and export of high-technology goods,” Atta-ur-Rahman said.

Currently, Tunisia has a middling position on the global innovation index (GII) as it ranks 79th out of the 132 economies featured in GII 2023.

“To help the Tunisian government to assess the impact of innovation initiatives and make the necessary adjustments, the policy should include mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating progress, using key performance indicators such as patents, research output and startup success rates,” Atta-ur-Rahman said.

He said the policy should be inclusive, addressing the needs of marginalised groups and promoting sustainable innovation, particularly in areas like green technologies and climate change solutions.

“A coordinated governance structure is also needed, with a national innovation council to guide policy formulation and foster collaboration among the government, private sector, academia and civil society, he added.