Meet a member of the team - Rym Ben Slimane, project coordinator at ISACM

Rym Ben Slimane is a researcher and lecturer in agronomy and plant physiology at the Institut Supérieur Agronomique de Chott-Mériem (ISACM), one of MOBILISE's Tunisian partner institutions. Her research focuses on developing interdisciplinary approaches that combine agronomy with the social sciences to better understand the complexity of agricultural production systems.

Since the launch of MOBILISE, Rym has played a central role in coordinating the programme in Tunisia. Her responsibilities include promoting the mobility opportunities to prospective participants, coordinating the student selection process, supporting pre-departure preparations, and facilitating communication between the partner institutions involved in the project. She has also contributed to the organisation of the pre-departure training programme, ensuring that participants are well prepared for their traineeships in the Netherlands.

Reflecting on her experience, Rym highlights the value of working closely with both Tunisian and Dutch partners to continuously improve the support provided to participants. She notes that the project has strengthened her coordination skills and reinforced the importance of listening carefully to participants' needs throughout both the pre-departure and post-return phases.

To the trainees currently undertaking their internships in the Netherlands, Rym offers the following advice:

"Be open to cultural differences, work hard, be punctual, and never hesitate to ask questions. Curiosity and engagement are the best ways to make the most of your learning experience."

Looking ahead, she hopes that the achievements of MOBILISE will inspire new international mobility initiatives, allowing future generations of Tunisian graduates and young professionals to benefit from similar opportunities.