Hof University of Applied Sciences is actively involved in the development of scientific networks with Tunisia and provides local expertise in areas such as mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, mechatronics and many more. As part of this initiative, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Valentin Plenk, Vice President for Research, Development and Entrepreneurship at Hof University of Applied Sciences, once again traveled through the North African country. He was accompanied by Prof. Dr. Claus-Ekkehard Koukal (ifm), research assistant Mahdi Burhani (inwa) and research assistant Sebastian Scharnagl (iisys). The research trip is intended to contribute to the economic development of the region.
The focus of the journey of around 2000 kilometers by road was the exchange with five Tunisian universities: the ISET Béja, the ISET Siliana, the ISET Kasserine, the ISET Sidi Bouzid and the ISET Ksar Hellal. These so-called “Instituts Supérieurs des Études Technologiques” (ISET) are specialized technical universities that offer practice-oriented engineering training. They are spread across various regions of Tunisia and play a central role in the training of skilled workers for industry.
Great interest in joint projects
The Hof delegation also met with the Tunisian supervisory authority DGET (Direction Générale des Établissements Technologiques) to explore opportunities for long-term cooperation. Advisors from the Tunisian government also took part in the talks. During previous visits, Tunisia had already shown great interest in the German teaching concept, which combines practical training with scientific research. Many Tunisian university lecturers want to deepen the knowledge they have gained and pass it on to their students. The focus of this visit was now on applied research.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Valentin Plenk was extremely satisfied with the results of the trip:
‘The hospitality of our hosts was absolutely remarkable. The interest on the Tunisian side was and is huge. The DGET has signaled that it will support the provision of financial resources if we can define concrete cooperation projects. So we have the best conditions for German-Tunisian cooperation.”
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Valentin Plenk, Vice President Hof University of Applied Sciences
Next step: networking at specialist level
The group brought back numerous ideas for joint research projects in areas such as water management, sustainability, food production, energy management and many more. Extensive networking is currently being organized between researchers from Hof University of Applied Sciences and their Tunisian colleagues in order to concretize these projects and, if necessary, apply for them. The research trip has thus laid the foundation for sustainable scientific cooperation, which should contribute to promoting innovation and strengthening the economy of North Africa in the long term.
