The World Bank’s Board of Directors approved a $100 million project designed to enhance students’ employability and strengthen the quality and governance of higher education and research institutions in Tunisia.
This new project by World Bank aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge required by the labor market while also supporting ongoing reforms to enhance university management and strengthen links with industry.
Tunisia has made notable progress in improving the quality and relevance of higher education, ensuring it aligns with the needs of key industries to increase graduate employability. Reforms have focused on modernizing curricula, broadening access to high-demand fields, and strengthening ties between universities and employers.
At the same time, challenges persist, particularly youth unemployment and transition duration to the job market, exacerbated by a private sector that struggles to create sufficient high-skilled job opportunities. Structural barriers, including skills mismatches and gaps in work-based learning, further hinder employment prospects.
In this context, effectively navigating global megatrends, such as digitalization and climate change, requires sustained investment in green skills, digital competencies, and health education. These areas are critical to equipping graduates with the skills needed for future economic opportunities and ensuring competitiveness in a rapidly evolving job market.
To address these challenges, the Strengthening Tertiary Education for Employability, Innovation, and Resilience (STEEIR) project focuses on two key components. The first enhances degree programs by improving quality, relevance, and access in high-demand fields, modernizing campuses, and fostering employer partnerships for enhanced employability. The second component strengthens university governance through system improvements, digital transformation, and quality assurance, ensuring a solid foundation for success, according to the reports.
