UVic Backs Reforms Sparked by Arab Spring
May 24, 2012
The University of Victoria, through the Gustavson School of Business, has signed agreements to work with the new government of the Republic of Tunisia to help develop its administrative capacity and to promote academic collaboration and exchange.
The agreements support reform of Tunisia’s higher education system, the exchange of administrative best practices, the exchange of scholars and researchers, and the development and delivery of training programs in leadership and governance.
“Tunisia is the birthplace of the Arab Spring. Academic cooperation and exchanges are one of the best ways to advance the agenda of democratization and the development of human capital,” said Vice President Academic and Provost Dr. Reeta Tremblay. “We’re pleased to support Tunisia’s Ministry of Higher Education’s efforts to train their future leaders.”
“We have tremendous capacity within the university, particularly in the schools of Public Administration and Business and through our Executive Programs to help the new government achieve its educational goals and to assist with the transition to democracy that is underway in Tunisia,” said Dr. Saul Klein, Lansdowne Professor of International Business and director of Gustavson Executive Programs.
Dean of Gustavson, Dr. Ali Dastmalchian, and Klein signed the agreements on behalf of UVic in Tunis on May 11 and 12, 2012, with Mohammed Abbou, minister responsible for administrative reforms in the public sector, and with Dr. Moncef Ben Salem, minister of higher education and scientific research.
The newly elected leaders of Tunisia’s National Constituent Assembly are engaged in drafting the country’s second constitution, which they expect to have approved by December 2012, and in transforming the country’s administrative structures.
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Media Contacts:
Dr. Saul Klein (Gustavson) at (250) 721-6420 or sklein@uvic.ca
Dianne George (Gustavson Communications) at (250) 721-6411
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