Djerba, October 3, 2025 – The DIRASA project announces the successful completion of the Training Week to improve the visibility of Tunisian research and its connection with the socio-economic world, which took place from September 29th to October 2nd, 2025.

The initiative contributes directly to achieving the project’s objectives: to enhance the impact of Tunisian research and strengthen the capacity of universities to interact with the country’s economic and social environment. This training provided participants with essential practical skills to transform this objective into concrete results.

The week mobilized teaching staff, laboratory directors, post-doctoral researchers, doctoral candidates, and administrative personnel from partner universities, as well as representatives from the MESRS and the ANPR. The event provided concrete tools to attract funding and promote effective collaborations. The sessions, led by European partners (UNIMED, CESIE, the Universities of Pisa, Pavia, and Rouen Normandie), addressed fundamental topics:

• Visibility of research and Interaction with stakeholder: mapping, analysis, engagement plan, communication, dissemination, and exploitation.
• Strategic communication, dissemination of results, institutional commitments such as the Gender Equality Plan, Ethics, Data Management Plan, and Intellectual Property.
• Open Access and Creative Commons licenses.
• Peer review and research valorisation: scientific validation of discoveries and highlighting the work of researchers and doctoral theses.
• Mapping of international scientific databases and Publication strategies: advanced research techniques and development of strategies to enhance research results.
• Best practices in scientific research valorisation: experiences from the University of Pisa, with a focus on the BRIGHT initiative and on the structures for intermediation and technology transfer for socio-economic development.

Beyond the instructional learning, this week acted as a catalyst for strategic capabilities, fundamental for the success and sustainability of DIRASA’s upcoming activities:

• Creation of the 6 Groupements d’Intérêt Scientifique (GIS): research consortia aimed at promoting excellence and valorising the work of researchers.
• Establishment of the National Coordination Network: a key instrument for effectively engaging stakeholders and the socio-economic world, transforming cooperation into concrete development.

Thanks to this initiative, DIRASA strengthens its role in establishing Tunisian research that is visible, high-quality, and has a real impact on the socio-economic fabric of the country, thereby laying the groundwork for a sustainable collaboration between universities, public bodies, and private actors.