Second meeting Tunisian Advisory Group - February 2024

On February 2nd, the second meeting of the Tunisian Advisory Group was held in Tunis. It was the first meeting in person, after the first Group meeting took place online in December. 

The meeting was participated by representatives of governmental actors, here including the EU Delegation, the Ministry of Professional Training and Employment, the ANETI and the APIA; representative of academia, including Maastricht University and Aeres University from the Netherlands and the Institut Supérieur Agronomique de Chott Meriem (ISA-CM), the LSFVAA Bouchrik, the CSFSPA Chott Meriem and the Mediterranean School of Business (MSB-SMU) from Tunisia; and representatives of the private sector, here including the Hortimag Group and the Chambre de Commerce Tunisienne-Nerlandaise. 

Discussions of the Group revolved around the pre-departure training program and the process for participants’ selection. Aeres’ expert presented the main outcomes of the workshop in Chott Meriem, and the main content and modality of the pre-departure program, which was positively validated by the Group members. Furthermore, the process for students’ recruitment and selection was thoroughly discussed, emphasizing the importance of timely visa processing. 

Some recommendations were provided about the inclusion of cultural preparation ahead of students’ departure to the Netherlands, as well as the linkage with the return phase of the talent program, including the involvement of ANETI and APIA's incubator network to ensure a comprehensive strategy for support to participants’ employment or business start-up once returned to Tunisia. 

A next meeting of the National Advisory Group is expected to take place in Tunis or online in June, before the students’ departure.