Global Astronomy Survey: Tunisia

First Submission : Abdelkader OUESLATI (SPoC) [see human resources section] 15 June 2009

SPoC Approval : Yes

1. Professional (Research) Astronomy:

(i) Number of universities offering Astronomy (and their names)

No university teaches the astronomy. The bases of the astronomy are only taught in module the institute of in-service training for the teachers of the secondary schools.

(ii) Number of universities offering Physics (and their names)

The physical sciences are taught in all the universities

- University of Tunis

- University of November 7th in Carthage

- University of Monastir

- University of Sfax

- University of Sousse

- University of Gafsa

- University of Tunis el Manar

- University of Jendouba

- University of Kairouan

- University of Gabès

- Virtual university

- The higher institutes of the technological studies

(iii) Number of academics who have been trained in Astronomy (ideally with their names and levels of qualification)

The academicians having been formed in astrophysics abroad, essentially in France, count about ten. They are all professors teaching physics in all its branches at the national universities

(iv) Number of astronomical facilities (observatories, telescopes, etc) and as much detail about each as possible (websites/contact details)

There is neither observatory nor professional telescope in Tunisia

(v) Self evaluation (according to the different phases above, how would you rate your

country in terms of Professional Astronomy?

Tunisia can be placed in phase 3. Several theses in touch with the astrophysics are rather made in atomically physics with a co – supervision Tuniso - French. But the astronomy is widely practised as amateur, in clubs, associations and in Tunis Science City

2. Public Understanding of Astronomy:

(i) What governmental astronomy/science outreach programmes for the public take place (co-ordinated either by government departments or national facilities)

National institutions dedicated to the scientific culture generally and to the astronomy in particular:

- The Tunis Science City, public institution, has an astronomical pavilion, a planetarium of 120 places, five mini planetariums and of about twenty telescopes of various sizes

- The national institute of meteorology, possess of so many telescopes as governorates

- The Palace of the Science in Monastir, directed rather to the fundamental sciences

- Children's clubs, under the patronage of the ministry of the woman and the family, the childhood, and old persons, and whose animators are trained at Tunis Science City

(ii) What non-governmental astronomy/science outreach programmes for the public take place (NGO activities or international programmes that your country is involved in)

The association of the young clubs - Science

The Tunisian Astronomical Society

As international projects, Tunisia subscribed, through Tunis Science City , to the project UNIVERSE AWARENESS on pilot project thanks to the astro - Bus by the annual program is to visit all the regions of the country (children's clubs, youth club, houses of culture, elementary schools, schools, secondary schools)

(iii) Comment on the presence of astronomy in the media (TV, radio, newspapers). Is it very prominent? Are there specific programmes on astronomy? Is the media generally willing to publish news on astronomy?

The astronomy in media is guided by events (eclipse, planetary closeness, and comets) or in the case of media coverage for an astronomical evening organized by Tunis Science City

Is it very prominent? Yes

Are there specific programmes on astronomy? No

Is the media generally willing to publish news on astronomy? Yes

(iv) Comment on the presence of astronomy/science in the general culture of the people. Are there any specific challenges or setbacks? Is astronomy a welcome subject of conversation?

These last years, Tunisians manifested a net awareness with regard to the sciences and especially when it is about astronomy. They are always numerous during the conferences, the programs holidays or astronomical evenings.

(v) Self evaluation (according to the different phases above, how would you rate your

country in terms of Public Understanding of Astronomy?

By relation public - astronomy, Tunisia can be classified in phase 2. In particular, young parents, manifest a great awareness towards the astronomy, This urges them to exhort their children to make astronomical activities. The passion in the astronomy is clearly expressed.

3. Astronomy in Schools:

(i) What governmental astronomy/science education and outreach programmes for

schools take place (co-ordinated either by government departments or national facilities)

In some chapters at the level of the primary school program and of the first year of the secondary school

(ii) What non-governmental astronomy/science education and outreach programmes for schools take place (NGO activities or international programmes that your country is involved in)

Tunis Science City involved primary schools too in UNIVERSE AWARENESS as international project for 4 – 10 years old.

(iii) Comment on the presence of astronomy in the school curriculum. Is it part of the

school curriculum? Is it very prominent? What age groups?

Astronomy in school is not well established, it needs to be improved.

Is it part of the school curriculum? Yes

Is it very prominent? No

What age groups? 11 – 12 and 16 years.

 (iv) Comment on the status of astronomy/science in schools.

The general tendency at the pupils and the students towards the sciences is sharply superior in Tunisia than towards the other disciplines, in particular towards the mathematics.

Are there any specific challenges or setbacks?

Sufficient number of students studying maths and science? Yes

General interest in maths/science/astronomy in schools? Yes

(v) Self evaluation (according to the different phases above, how would you rate your

country in terms of Astronomy in Schools?

With regard to the astronomy in schools, Tunisia can be also placed in phase 2.