From 4 to 7 March 2024, University of La Manouba (UMA) was the scene of a major initiative to promote the RAQMYAT project, the Doctoriales. This emblematic event brought together doctoral students from different disciplinary backgrounds to plunge them in an immersive experience aimed at strengthening their spirit of initiative and research skills and putting them in contact with the socio-economic world. 

The theme “Building a Sustainable Future Together” fits perfectly with Sustainable Development Goal 12 (SDG12), emphasizing responsible consumption and production practices and, at the same time, the role of digital technology in sustainable development.

A dense and stimulating program

The UMA Doctoriales program was carefully designed to offer a balance of theory and practice, enriching participants through lectures, workshops, visits and group work sessions. Representatives from the socio-economic world and members of the RAQMYAT project shared their knowledge through six captivating lectures.

Topics included sustainable development policy, presented by UMA Professor Samiha Khelifa, heritage and sustainable development by Daouda Saow, Director General of the Agence de Mise en Valeur du Patrimoine et de Promotion Culturelle (AMVPPC), and the importance of SDG12 by independent consultant Samir Meddeb.

The RAQMYAT project partners also presented the activities currently underway to strengthen digital strategies for doctoral training in the humanities and social sciences. These included two online training courses: the first entitled “Doing research in the humanities and social sciences in Tunisia in the digital age”, presented by Kmar Bendana (UMA) and Aïda Chebbi (GIRA – Groupe interdisciplinaire de recherche en archivistique); the second on “Textometry and textual analysis in the context of European and Arabic languages”, presented by Dorra Bassi from the University of Tunis.

The doctoral students also participated in workshops on stress management and public speaking, led by experts, to develop essential skills in this area.

Finally, doctoriales at UMA also included visits and working groups, in particular a visit to the Sidi Thabet Higher Institute of Biotechnology and to the Sidi Thabet National School of Veterinary Medicine. These visits enabled the doctoral students to discover concrete initiatives in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. Under the guidance of coaches, the participants worked in groups to develop innovative projects.

The doctoral students presented six projects as part of a competition:

Rewater: water recycling and renewable energy production.

GreenScape Game: an educational game promoting environmental protection. This project won first prize for its potential impact.

WaterWatch Tunisia: an intelligent solution for detecting water leaks.

ArgilEau: use of clay bottles for more ecological water consumption.

Aqua-Use-Tech: sustainable wastewater treatment.

TechSaver: sustainable home services platform.

Conclusion

Doctoriales at the University of La Manouba were a resounding success, providing a dynamic platform for doctoral students to develop interdisciplinary skills and create innovative solutions for a sustainable future. The event not only strengthened links between the academic and socio-economic worlds, but also inspired a new generation of researchers to think and act sustainably. Cultivating a spirit of initiative and innovation, the Doctoriales tackled digital strategies, demonstrating their uses and benefits.

Consult and download the program here.