Strengthening institutional cooperation for the future of MOBILISE

During the preparatory missions to Tunisia and Egypt in May and June 2026, Maastricht School of Management (MSM) held a series of strategic meetings with the leadership of the partner universities to reflect on what could come after the current phase of MOBILISE. Meetings took place with Mr Majdoub, Director of the Institut Supérieur Agronomique de Chott-Mériem (ISACM); Prof. Dr Yahya El-Sayed, President of Kafrelsheikh University; Prof. Dr Sameh Shaddad, Dean of the Faculty of Organic Agriculture at Heliopolis University; and Dr Ahmed Elshazly, Director of Sponsored Programs, International Relations and Centers at Heliopolis University. The discussions looked at how the partner institutions might continue supporting international mobility and graduate employability once the project comes to an end.

One of the main topics was the proposed Fresh Graduates Mobility Pilot, aimed at recent graduates rather than current students. The conversations explored how universities could contribute by promoting the programme, reaching out to alumni, carrying out an initial screening of candidates, and connecting the initiative with career services and academic departments.  

Attention then shifted to the longer-term sustainability of the mobility programme itself. Several possible directions were discussed, including greater institutional ownership within the partner universities, continued collaboration with Dutch higher education institutions under other frameworks, stronger engagement with employers, and the development of new funding and partnership models.  

Beyond mobility, the academic leaders also expressed interest in expanding collaboration in other areas. Ideas included curriculum development, staff exchanges, future mobility initiatives, joint project development, and broader university-to-university cooperation.

Overall, the meetings reflected a shared commitment to build on the experience of MOBILISE and strengthen long-term cooperation to promote graduate employability, internationalisation, and sustainable talent mobility between Tunisia, Egypt, and the Netherlands.