As part of the DIRASA project, Work Package 3 (WP3) focused on strengthening the skills of university staff (both academic and administrative) in Tunisian universities in research management and quality assurance.

Three training workshops were organized, each aimed at addressing key themes for developing research structures in Tunisian universities. These workshops, coordinated by the University of Pisa (UNIPI) and the University of Jendouba, facilitated the sharing and transfer of knowledge and best practices among participants.

First workshop: Management and quality of research centers

The workshop held at the University of Jendouba focused on the management and quality of research centers and structures, including research evaluation. This training aimed to equip participants with practical tools to improve the quality of research conducted at their institutions.

The 8 sessions covered the following topics:

• “Research ethics”
• “Plagiarism Detection: Turnitin anti-plagiarism solution”
• “The Code of ethics at the University of Pavia: a case study”
• “Scientific integrity in research professions”
• “Regulations on scientific integrity: collective modalities and individual responsibility”
• “Ethics in using bibliographic sources”
• “Scientific integrity as a tool for research ethics: advances at the national level in France and the University of Rouen Normandy”
• “The role of gender equality in university governance: the University of Pisa case study”

This workshop emphasized integrating ethical values at every stage of research, from conception to publication, while ensuring compliance with established norms and rights. Discussions on the University of Pavia’s code of ethics helped participants identify key elements relevant to their contexts. The training highlighted best practices in using bibliographic resources and the need for regulatory frameworks to uphold ethical standards in research.

A particularly appreciated aspect was the focus on gender equality in research, which sparked enriching discussions and raised awareness among participants about the importance of this topic.

Second workshop: Ethical frameworks and research standards

The workshop held at the University of Kairouan focused on ethical frameworks and scientific research activities standards, including discussions on codes of conduct, anti-plagiarism systems, and ethics awareness programs.

The sessions covered the following themes:

• “Research units: policy – internal and external stakeholders – overall functioning”
• “Presentation of internal regulations for a typical research unit in France”
• “The University of Pisa and its research support services”
• “Evaluation of research structures in France: external and internal”
• “Quality assurance for doctoral training in Italy”

The training focused on management methods and regulatory texts, using comparative case studies between Tunisia and France. Participants analysed practical cases, such as the review of internal regulations for a research lab in France, allowing them to formulate concrete proposals for optimizing the management and organization of a lab in Tunisia. They also worked on a self-assessment method for a research unit.

The importance of self-assessment was highlighted as a crucial tool for preventing questionable research practices. Topics such as scientific errors, insufficient data production, plagiarism, fabricated data, and publication retraction spurred in-depth discussions on best practices to ensure research integrity and quality.

Third workshop: Research valorization and the research-innovation link

The workshop at the University of Gafsa explored a wide range of topics related to research valorisation, the research-innovation link, and its connections with innovation and the socio-economic fabric.

Topics covered included:

• “The importance of research valorization in the Tunisian university system”
• “Place-based Innovation: insights from the Contamination Lab at Pisa University”
• “Our values: reflection on research philosophy”
• “The support role of university structures in transforming a bright idea into successful research: a case study”
• “Research valorization in Tunisia and its connections with the socio-economic fabric”
• “The Normandy University Innovation Hub – operations and a transfer case to the socio-economic sphere via a spin-off from the University of Rouen Normandy”
• “Living Labs: catalysts for university research valorization, innovation stimulation, and enhanced university-community engagement”
• “Research valorization at the University of Pavia: a practical case study”
• “New opportunities to support research valorization and scientific dissemination: SWAFY and ARESSE Projects”

These sessions underscored the strategic importance of research valorisation within Tunisian universities, presenting concrete examples and case studies from DIRASA’s European partner institutions. Territory-based innovation models, like the Contamination Lab at the University of Pisa, and structures such as the Normandy University Innovation Hub, illustrated how collaboration with the socio-economic sector can transform academic ideas into tangible projects. The training also explored mechanisms that support scientific dissemination, aligning stakeholder interests in research and innovation.

During the practical sessions, participants worked on optimizing networking in the research sector and ensuring alignment of interests among different stakeholders. They also discussed the VRR Sabat Sfax project, a practical case illustrating successful collaboration between a university and the socio-economic sector.

Impact of the Training

These training sessions not only enriched the participants’ skills but also facilitated the creation of a network of trainers within universities. Trained participants had the opportunity to become trainers themselves, sharing their knowledge and experiences with other researchers and PhD students in their institutions. As a result, each university now has resources to strengthen its capacities, contributing to the continuous improvement of research practices in Tunisia. This aligns with the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education program’s approach to supporting quality and modernization in higher education institutions.

Next Steps

A thematic training week is planned in Palermo, Italy, focusing on European funding programs related to research.

For any questions and additional information, please contact the DIRASA project coordinators within partner organizations (contact details are available in the Partnership section of this site) or reach us via email at info@dirasa.eu or our contact form at http://dirasa.eu/#contact-us.