Innovate Together: Interdisciplinary Arab-German Research Cooperation

The AGYA 2024 Annual Autumn Conference in Tunis was a landmark event that brought together leading scholars and policymakers from the Arab world and Germany. Held at ‘Beit Al-Hikma’ and officially opened by its President, Professor Mahmoud Ben Romdhane, the conference welcomed more than 100 researchers from over fifteen countries. With the active participation of the German Embassy, the event was an excellent opportunity to reinforce and deepen the strong ties between German and Tunisian academic institutions. A keynote address on ‘Braving the Polycrisis: United in Courage to Shape Tomorrow’ by Professor Jelel Ezzine from the National Engineering School of Tunis, Tunisia and the World Academy of Art and Science set the stage for thought-provoking discussions on how to navigate global challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration. In this festive setting, the outgoing AGYA members were given a farewell after their five year membership and welcomed into the alumni network.

In the internal conference sessions, the members convened to present passed achievements, to discuss and decide on future plans of the academy, and to elect their new Steering Committee. In addition, AGYA members and alumni had a chance to engage in in-depth exchange with Tunisian academics. Top-level talks and strategic discussions with stakeholders from Libya, Mauretania, Morocco, Tunisia, and Germany focused on enhancing research cooperation and developing new frameworks for scientific exchange between Germany and the Maghreb countries, underscoring AGYA's commitment to sustainable academic networks. While providing a vibrant platform for interaction with the dynamic academic community of the Maghreb, the conference was also an opportunity to celebrate AGYA’s 10th anniversary – while looking ahead to future collaborations, the academy proudly reflected on a decade of achievements.

The programme was complimented by scientific excursions to the The National Bardo Museum, the Solaris solar boat, and the Westerwelle Startup Haus which provided insights into the academic, cultural, and economic richness of Tunisia. Moreover, guided tours of the historic Medina of Tunis provided a comprehensive introduction to the cultural heritage and social and economic space that characterize this UNESCO World Heritage Site. A traditional house in the Medina was also the setting for an Arab-German reading by AGYA Alumnae/i on concepts of tolerance and intolerance in an event celebrating the shared literary traditions of the Arab world and Germany. Participants also benefited from specialized training sessions addressing contemporary challenges, particularly the application of generative artificial intelligence in science communication and strategies for accessing EU funding opportunities for international research collaborations. A scientific excursion to southern Tunisia further enriched the conference experience, featuring insightful presentations from AGYA members and alumni on diverse topics including traditional housing architecture, sustainable agriculture practices, reforestation initiatives, and the region's rich heritage of folkloric tales.

24-30 November 2024

• Beit al-Hikma
• Solaris Boat
• Bardo Museum
• Westerwelle Startup Haus Tunis

• Beit al-Hikma