The event was organized by the „Verein der Tunesier in Stuttgart e. V. (VTS)“ in cooperation with the University of Stuttgart. The VTS, which was founded at the university 30 years ago, still maintains close ties to its founding location. Currently, around 70 Tunisian students are enrolled at the University of Stuttgart – a sign of the continuing strong connection between Stuttgart and Tunisia.
After the official welcome by the Dean of Faculty 5, Prof. Dr. Ing. Peter Birke, representatives of the Tunisian Consulate in Munich and the Tunisian Embassy in Berlin, participants enjoyed a varied program of lectures, discussions, and workshops.
The university's organizing team consisted of Tamara Arutyunyants (TRACES) and Meta Geisbüsch (ISP, Faculty 5). Tamara Arutyunyants gave a brief overview of the University of Stuttgart, its research areas, research initiatives in the field of production and the automotive industry, and the university’s transfer center (TRACES). Vanessa Misirloglou presented the university's alumni program.
The program focused on talks and discussion panels with experts from industry and science, including Bosch, Daimler Truck, Trelleborg Sealing Solutions, the start-up Akkurad, Chemnitz University of Technology, and the European Commission. The discussion panel “Automotive at the Crossroads: Crisis or Transformation?” was highlighted. Another highlight was the workshop “Women Empowerment in the Tunisian Automotive Industry,” supported by the GIZ program “Shaping Development-Oriented Migration (MEG)” on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The project aims to strengthen the role of women in the Tunisian automotive sector by promoting leadership, networking, and mentoring opportunities.
The event was considered a great success by all participants. It provided a valuable platform for dialogue and networking.
The University of Stuttgart would like to thank, among others, Hamdi Rekik, Sabri Baazouzi, Siwar Rais, Hayfa Laradh fort he fruitful cooperation and looks forward to future joint projects with the VTS and further exchanges with its Tunisian alumni!
Photos: www.tunesien.international
