Tunisia-The ministry of education orders closing of a private university and inquiry of 7 others

For the first proper time, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has decreed the immediate closure of a private university and decided to subject seven other private universities to a meticulous inspection, based on apparent violations and infringements within these institutions included in the official report of the Court of Auditors.
Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Slim Khalbous said “a standing committee has been set up following the publication of the Court of Auditors’ report.”“That committee has contacted all the private academic institutions, intending to carry out an audit based on the irregularities noted,” he added.
All private academic institutions are summoned to comply with international educational standards, he pointed out.
“We will be on the lookout for any breaches of the law,” said Khalbous, noting that the ministry’s decision to narrow hiring by private universities to doctoral graduates, as an essential requirement to provide work permits, contributed to a 50% increase in the number of doctoral students recruited by private universities in the last two years.