Understanding internationalisation of higher education in Tunisia

Between international actors and domestic priorities

This paper examines the internationalisation of higher education (IoHE) in Tunisia through the lens of policy transfer theory, focusing on how global policy ideas are negotiated within national contexts. In the aftermath of the 2011 political transition, Tunisia has become a key site for international engagement in education reform, yet little research has investigated how internationalisation policies are shaped, implemented, or contested within the country.Drawing on qualitative data from policy documents and semi-structured interviews, this study explores two interrelated questions: 1) How do international actors influence IoHE policy in Tunisia? 2) How are these global models interpreted, adapted, or resisted by domestic actors?