The academic ties between Tunisia and India have grown stronger over the years, with a constant inflow of students from Tunisia through the ICCR scholarships. The Indian diaspora in Tunisia, despite being minuscule, also avails of educational opportunities there and has been contributing to its social fabric in a significant way.
Education in Tunisia
Tunisian Government’s Strategic Plan for the Education Sector, 2016, enhanced teacher training programmes and promoted education for all. The UNESCO also notes that the percentage of girls and boys enrolled in the Tunisian education system is almost the same. Tunisia also has an advanced education system where many courses are offered online. This provides an excellent opportunity for students to work alongside the completion of their degree.
Foreign Students in Tunisia
Tunisian universities provide a conducive atmosphere for critical thinking and academic excellence. Consequently, they attract students from many foreign countries, too. The number of international students enrolled in Tunisian education institutions has constantly increased. In the 2018-19 academic year, international students comprised 2.8% of the total students in the tertiary education sector. In the 2021-22 academic year, around 8,315 international students were enrolled in higher education. This reflects Tunisia’s commitment to enhancing academic ties with other countries as a contribution to the global intellectual discourse. Countries like India have also opened their gates to prospective students from Tunisia to enter and participate in their academic endeavours.
ICCR Scholarship
Under the ICCR scheme, there are two scholarships available to African students, including those from Tunisia:
- Lata Mangeshkar Dance & Music Scholarship Scheme: Under this scheme, the ICCR opens up 100 slots yearly for aspirants pursuing higher studies in Indian cultural arts. The subjects offered under this scheme for the academic year 2024-25 are dance, music, performing art, theatre, sculpture, Indian cuisine, and Indian languages. The scheme provides scholarships to undergraduate, postgraduate, and research aspirants. While the age limit for the UG and PG programmes is between 18 and 40, that of the PhD programme is 50. Such a prestigious programme with generous relaxation in the aspirants’ age promotes a healthy academic culture.
- African Scholarship Scheme: The ICCR implements this scheme on behalf of the MEA to promote higher education of African students in India. The scholarship is open to 54 countries in the African continent, including Tunisia. Under this scheme, aspirants can pursue undergraduate, postgraduate, and research programmes in premier Indian universities and institutions. Excluding Medicine, the scheme provides scholarships for various subjects like Agriculture, Commerce, Management, Applied courses (Journalism and Communication, Pharmacy, Tourism Management, Computer Application), Engineering, and many others. The scholarship covers the tuition fees and accommodation charges of students in India. It also provides a relaxation age limit for applicants, thereby encouraging educational aspirations among African students.
MoU for Academic Relations
On May 13, 2022, Integral University, Lucknow, invited Her Excellency MS Hayet Talbi EP Bilel, Ambassador of Tunisia to the Republic of India, to deliver a talk on ‘Higher Education in Tunisia and Cooperation with India’. The host University and Monastir University, Tunisia, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen the academic ties between the two universities. Apart from Ambassador Hayet Talbi EP Bilel, those who graced the occasion were Hon’ble Pro-Chancellor Dr. Syed Nadeem Akhtar, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor Prof. Javed Musarrat, Mr. Ali Meftahi, DCM, Mr Syed Fauzan Akhtar, Executive Director, IIMSR, Dr. Mohd Haris Siddiqui, Registrar, Integral University, Deans, Heads of Departments, and various faculty members.
In his address, Hon’ble Pro-Chancellor Dr. Syed Nadeem Akhtar emphasised the importance of strengthening academic and cultural ties between Tunisia and India. Her Excellency Ms. Hayet Talbi EP Bilel also mentioned how Tunisia has always encouraged critical thinking and higher education. Speaking on the significant MoU, she observed, “I hope that the Memorandum of Understanding that we signed this afternoon would help to deepen the relationship between the University of Monastir Tunisia and the Integral University of Lucknow.”
Indians in Tunisia
There is a small population of the Indian diaspora living in Tunisia. Despite their number, they actively participate in Tunisian social life, including its academic culture. The Indian Embassy in Tunisia has also provided an exhaustive list of those universities in Tunisia known for their academic rigour and performance. The list includes 14 Government Universities and 55 Private Universities recognised by the Ministry of Higher Education, Government of Tunisia. Some universities are Ez-Zitouna University, Tunis, University of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, University of Carthage in Amilcar, University of Manouba in Manouba, and others. These universities offer undergraduate, postgraduate, and research studies courses. Many members of the Indian diaspora regularly benefit from these institutions.
Tunisia and India are making considerable progress in their academic ties. An active exchange of students between both countries and MoUs signed by prestigious universities ensures a healthy academic engagement between the youth of Tunisia and India.
