PACE Tunisia

Together with the universities of Tunis El Manar and Sousse, the University of Kassel was able to set a good example of successful international cooperation. Over a period of four years (2019-2022), intensive joint work was carried out to establish entrepreneurial thinking and acting as a key competence in teaching at North African universities. This was to be developed both in the various degree courses and in the general university and educational area.

Thanks to the close cooperation, visible successes and significant progress in university development were achieved, that lead to two new valuable partnerships.

In 2019, the cooperation between the Université Tunis El Manar, the Université de Sousse and the University of Kassel started with ambitious goals as part of the PACE project (la pensée et l'action entrepreneuriales pour augmenter la capacité des emplois) funded by the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service). The Tunisian universities involved were to be transformed into "Entrepreneurial Universities" through an institutional change in structures and programmes. Under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Brigitte Halbfas, former Director and Professor of Entrepreneurship Education, and Christian Martin, Managing Director of the leading business unit "Entrepreneurial Thinking and Acting", all project goals were achieved over the four years. Regular and close exchange as well as mutual visits by the partner universities contributed significantly to the successful implementation of new concepts.

The aim of the project was to increase the employability of graduates and support knowledge-based business start-ups. To this end, start-up consultancy services were introduced on site, more specifically their scope and competence were expanded and supplemented with components, such as the start-up school, patent search and advice. "Training-of-trainers" also helped to strengthen the teaching and learning skills of teachers.

The project was concluded with the organisation of university idea workshops at the end of 2022, which initiated and supported the concrete practical implementation of the entrepreneurial ideas and plans.

More than 40 students took part in this challenge and presented their ideas in Tunis and Sousse in front of an international jury made up of university lecturers and external partners.

A jointly developed, long-term strategy that extends beyond the project period ensures progress towards a stronger orientation of university education towards the needs of the labour market and promotes the sustainable development of the participating North African university locations of Tunis and Sousse. All participants on both the Kassel and Tunisian sides were highly satisfied with the progress of the project and the results achieved.

In view of the successful outcome, further cooperation with the Tunisian universities is planned.