Applications open for 2026-27 Hazem Ben-Gacem Tunisia-Oxford Cooperation Programme
The Middle East Centre (MEC) is delighted to announce the next round of applications for the Hazem Ben-Gacem Tunisia-Oxford Cooperation Programme.
We are inviting applications from doctoral students and research-active faculty at Tunisian universities who are working in the humanities or social sciences. The successful applicants will be invited to each spend a term at Oxford University in 2026-27, with full funding for fees, travel, accommodation and living costs.
Full details about how to apply can be found here.
Winners of the 2025-26 Programme
The doctoral students joining us for the 2025-26 Tunisian Visiting Students Programme are:
- Michaelmas Term 2025: Fares Ben Youssef (University of Tunis)
- Hilary Term 2026: Wiem Alimi (University of Carthage)
- Trinity Term 2026: Bassem Hidouri (University of Gafsa)
Hear more about the experience from our Trinity Term 2025 student here.
We will also be welcoming our first Tunisian Academic Visitors for the 2025-26 Tunisian Visiting Faculty Programme in Hilary Term:
- Hilary Term 2026: Dr Fatma Abdelkaoui (Assistant Professor in Economics at South Mediterranean University)
- Trinity Term 2026: Dr Farah Ben Jemaa (Associate Professor at the University of Tunis)
In addition to our visiting Tunisian students and faculty, the MEC is grateful to the Programme for providing eleven Arabic Language Training Bursaries and four Collaboration and Research Grants so far this year. These awards are made to members of the Oxford University community. The Bursary recipients have all undertaken language training in Tunisia over the summer vacation. The Collaboration and Research Grants will continue to be awarded on a rolling basis to facilitate field research in Tunisia, collaborative projects with Tunisian scholars, and joint workshops and conferences.
This unprecedented level of exchange has been made possible thanks to the generosity of Hazem Ben-Gacem, a long-standing member of the MEC’s Advisory Board. The MEC is also grateful for the support of the British Embassy and the Tunisian Ministry of Higher Education.
