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Tunisian academics cautiously optimistic on anniversary of revolution

One year since the popular revolution in Tunisia ended the 23-year-old rule of Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, Tunisians are starting to enjoy newfound freedoms. Scientists and academics are cautiously hopeful science research and education will benefit in a new era.

“Since the early 2000’s, research has really suffered from the lack of democracy and the police state in place,” says Faouzia Charfi, a physics professor at the University of Tunis. “Seminars and conferences were rare and under surveillance by the repressive regime of Ben Ali. It led to a serious violation of academic freedom.”

Organizers of science conferences or meetings were required to submit full details of the topics or research up for discussion and in advance to receive permission to hold events. “Motivated researchers had to fight to maintain international relations and collaborations, but many potentially good researchers were discouraged and gave up,” says Rim Lahmandi, a professor of economy at the University of Carthage in Tunis.

Organizers of science conferences or meetings were required to submit full details of the topics or research up for discussion and in advance to receive permission to hold events. “Motivated researchers had to fight to maintain international relations and collaborations, but many potentially good researchers were discouraged and gave up,” says Rim Lahmandi, a professor of economy at the University of Carthage in Tunis.

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By Mohammed Yahia