Boosting Employability Through Tunisia higher education Reforms
The World Bank Board of Directors has approved a US$100 million initiative aimed at improving Tunisia higher education to better align with labor market demands. The Strengthening Tertiary Education for Employability, Innovation, and Resilience (STEEIR) project seeks to enhance the quality and governance of educational institutions while equipping students with the necessary skills to secure employment. The program also builds on previous reforms that focused on modernizing curricula, increasing access to high-demand fields, and fostering stronger ties between universities and employers.
Tunisia higher education has made notable progress in strengthening its education sector, but challenges remain, particularly in addressing youth unemployment and the transition period from university to the workforce. Despite efforts to align higher education with economic needs, the private sector has struggled to create enough high-skilled job opportunities. Structural barriers such as skills mismatches and insufficient work-based learning experiences continue to limit graduates’ employability, making further investment in education reforms essential.
Adapting to Global Trends and Industry Needs
The STEEIR project is designed to help Tunisia navigate major global shifts, including digitalization and climate change, by focusing on skill development in critical areas such as green technologies, digital competencies, and healthcare education. By equipping students with future-ready skills, the initiative aims to ensure they remain competitive in an evolving job market.
The project is structured around two primary components. The first focuses on enhancing degree programs by improving their quality, relevance, and accessibility in key fields. This includes modernizing campuses and strengthening partnerships between academia and industry to improve job placement outcomes. The second component targets university governance, emphasizing system improvements, digital transformation, and quality assurance measures to create a robust and sustainable higher education system.
“Enhancing the partnership between higher education institutions and the private sector is crucial for Tunisia’s economic growth and job creation, particularly for young people and women,” stated Alexandre Arrobbio, the World Bank Country Manager for Tunisia. “Investing in human capital remains a priority, as it empowers individuals and supports economic development. These higher education reforms will help students acquire the skills they need to succeed in an ever-changing labor market.”
Building on Past Success to Expand Opportunities
The STEEIR project builds upon the success of the Tertiary Education for Employability Project (PromESsE), which significantly improved student employability and higher education management in Tunisia. By the conclusion of PromESsE on December 31, 2024, more than 22,000 students had benefited from new degree programs, certifications, and career centers. Additionally, four medical and engineering schools received international accreditations, enhancing Tunisia’s standing in global education standards.
Looking ahead, the STEEIR project aims to expand its impact by accrediting 85 degree programs and supporting at least 145,000 students and faculty members by 2030. Himdat Bayusuf, Senior Education Specialist and Task Team Leader for the project, highlighted the broader vision, stating, “By building on past achievements, this initiative will further align higher education with market demands, ensuring graduates have the necessary skills to drive economic progress.”
With this investment is set to strengthen its Tunisia higher education sector, bridge the gap between academia and industry, and provide students with enhanced employment prospects in a rapidly evolving global economy.
