The LEAD-MENA project (Launch of an Advanced Educational and Development Access Hub in the MENA Region), co-funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) programme, has officially commenced its activities. The consortium brings together higher education institutions and partner organizations from Tunisia, Egypt, Italy, and Greece, united by a common objective: fostering innovation, advancing education, and promoting sustainable development across the MENA region.
The project was formally launched during its Kick-off Meeting held on 28–29 April 2026 at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT) in Cairo, Egypt. Representatives from all partner institutions convened to define the strategic roadmap, validate governance, management, and communication frameworks, and coordinate the implementation of upcoming project activities.
LEAD-MENA aims to establish an innovative educational hub designed to strengthen links between universities, students, graduates, and industry stakeholders. The project focuses on improving employability and practical competencies through experiential learning, collaborative academic-industry projects, simulation-based training activities, and enhanced cooperation between higher education institutions and the private sector.
A central objective of the project is the integration of advanced industrial practices into higher education curricula. These include sustainable packaging technologies, logistics and supply chain management, virtual and augmented reality applications, and energy monitoring systems. Through these interdisciplinary approaches, students are expected to acquire practical experience while addressing real-world challenges related to sustainability, digital transformation, and industrial innovation.
During its initial phase, the consortium successfully achieved several key milestones. The project management plan, communication strategy, and quality assurance framework have been developed and validated. In parallel, stakeholder mapping activities have been initiated, and preparations for upcoming training sessions and mobility programmes are currently underway.
In addition, the multilingual LEAD-MENA website and official social media platforms have been launched to ensure effective dissemination and visibility of project activities and results. Over the coming months, the consortium will implement labour market workshops, stakeholder engagement events, capacity-building sessions, and mobility programmes aimed at reinforcing collaboration between academia and industry.
By promoting innovation, digital transformation, and international cooperation, LEAD-MENA contributes to the modernisation of higher education systems and supports the development of future-ready skills across the MENA region.
- https://lead-mena.rnu.tn
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- https://www.facebook.com/leadmena
Author: Centre de Calcul El-Khawarizmi (CCK-MESRS, Tunisie) El-Khawarizmi
Le Centre de Calcul El-Khawarizmi (CCK) est le fournisseur de services Internet pour l'ensemble des établissements, agences et administrations relevant du Ministère de l'enseignement Supérieur et de la Recherche Scientifique en Tunisie.
