In 2014, the University of Tunis was selected from at total of 77 proposals for the World Trade Organization (WTO) Chair Program (WCP) which purports to assist the University of Tunis in providing students with a deeper understanding of trade policy issues, as well as to strengthen Tunisia’s participation in international trade. The objectives of the WTO Chair at ESSECT, University of Tunis are three-fold:
- Develop capacity- building within the Tunisian university on global trade issues
- Encourage research on crucial questions and issues pertaining to current global trade patterns
- Engage in outreach activities in order to facilitate increased understanding of global trade issues among various sectors of society. The WTO Chair at ESSECT aims first to meet several emergent needs in international trade and higher education in Tunisia such as the development of international trade agreements and the increasing importance of international trade flows which were not complemented by an upgrade of Tunisian university programs. International trade and trade policy programs continue to be taught in a very classical way which does not meet the needs of the current student body. Our aim is to improve new Bachelor programs as part of the university reform program by introducing modern techniques of market analysis, enhancing a better understanding of trade-policy questions, techniques of international trade and multilateral negotiations and focusing on modern international trade theories. Therefore, we intend (i) to introduce new courses on international trade on the existing bachelor degree based on WTO materials; (ii) to create a trade policy training program for policy makers, leaders and professionals from the private sector and; (iii) develop a WTO reference library and an e-learning platform. Secondly, our aim is to encourage and contribute to research on international trade. Our research interests include trade facilitation, impact of trade on the environment, global value chains and effects of trade liberalization on the labor market as well as multilateral and bilateral negotiations. Researchers will use a rich, Tunisian firm- level database to assess the effects of trade liberalization on firm’s dynamics. They will also develop new databases at a national level on trade facilitation and global value chains. Concerning the research component, we seek to: (i) produce high quality papers together, ideally, with WTO researchers to be published in top ranked journals: (ii) participate in different conferences specialized in international trade, as a means of spreading research findings: (iii) create a community of international trade economists in Tunisia, the Maghreb as well as the broader Middle East and North Africa region, to build their capacities and to foster cooperation and joint projects. Thirdly, the objective of this project is to communicate the results and findings to both to academic circles and broader audiences. Hence, we will organize an annual conference on international trade and WTO issues where researchers on trade will present their papers. The conference will be a unique opportunity for PhD students to present their work and to get positive and constructive feedback from eminent researchers and practitioners in the field. The forthcoming conference will include a round-table with policy makers, professionals and business leaders to discuss the latest developments in international trade and trade negotiations. The conference will target policy- making circles in particular. Research findings will be presented to policy makers during roundtables. Conference organizers will use a combination of traditional media (radio, journals and TV) as well as social media (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, etc.) to reach a wider audience. There will also be a website providing continuous updates about the program
