News
New partnership expands global opportunities for students and strengthens ties with Tunisia
November 20, 2024
On Friday, November 8, 2024, the College of Computing at Grand Valley State University (GVSU) proudly signed a international partnership agreement with ESPRIT University, a leading private institution in Tunisia, with over 12,000 students, specializing in engineering, business, and digital technologies. This collaboration, which marks the second international agreement for GVSU’s College of Computing, establishes 3+2 and 1+1 dual-degree programs designed to provide students from both institutions with unparalleled academic and professional opportunities.
ESPRIT University is renowned for its emphasis on innovation, practical learning, experiential learning and its alignment with industry standards, which ensures high employability for its graduates. Esprit offers a range of programs, including undergraduate, postgraduate, and executive education, with a focus on engineering, computer science, and management. The university fosters an entrepreneurial spirit among students, encouraging the development of start-ups and partnerships with global companies. With a strong emphasis on internationalization, ESPRIT maintains collaborations with universities and institutions worldwide, providing students with opportunities for exchange programs and dual degrees.
“This partnership is not just an opportunity to strengthen our academic and cultural connections, but also a milestone for us to continue attracting the best talents from around the globe,” said Kessentini. “It’s an honor to collaborate with a prestigious institution like ESPRIT to support the Greater Grand Rapids in attracting high-tech talents and transforming it into a tech-hub.” His leadership and dedication to internationalization have been instrumental in bringing this partnership to fruition, underscoring the college’s commitment to fostering global innovation and collaboration.
In the 1+1 model, the first year of their master’s program will take place at ESPRIT then finish their master’s program at GVSU. In the 3+2 model, students will spend three years at ESPRIT and then transition to GVSU to complete both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees through the combined degree program in the College of Computing.
"This agreement not only reinforces our mission to attract
talented students from around the world but also enhances our efforts
to grow entrepreneurship, graduate education, and research," said
Kessentini. By establishing partnerships with prestigious
international universities, the College of Computing continues to
build pathways for global innovation, enrich its programs, and
position itself as a leader in computing education both regionally and
internationally. To learn more about our previous and ongoing
international partnerships, view
them here.
Article written by Shelby Harrison.