UfM interviews Mohamed Bouagina and Hassan Al-Zaza

Mohamed Bouagina and Hassan Al-Zaza are two young Tunisian and Syrian beneficiaries of the UfM-labelled project “Euro-Mediterranean Masters and PhD programmes” at the EMUNI University (Slovenia). They are currently studying the Masters in Intercultural Business Communication.

What is your assessment of this Masters programme and its content?

M.B: So far I have learned a lot and the programme definitely has this special component that makes it different from the other programmes. I would definitely recommend it to other students.

H.A: Overall I am satisfied with the Masters. Our Masters programme has two key areas: business and languages (communication). I am really happy with the Masters and I hope we will keep this balance between these two areas because learning languages is very important and helpful regarding business prospects for me as a graduate.

Coming from different countries and having this intercultural environment in our class is also a great experience.

Tell us about the situation of young people in the Mediterranean. Do you think there are enough opportunities in the region for them? In your opinion, what needs to be improved?

M.B: The region has a lot of potential. The young generations and students are really eager to see the region at peace so that we can advance even further. Being a young person from the Mediterranean region and having had this opportunity to meet young people coming from different places in the same region has made me realise that we share common denominators but we are also different.

This diversity is what makes this region so rich – the region that shares the same sea but the Northern and Southern rims remain different. I believe that fostering youth mobility between the Northern and Southern Mediterranean countries would have a great impact and both shores would have a better chance to get to know each other’s cultures. This could really help in the future and it’s up to the older generations to give young people the chance to decide about their future and not to have their future decided for them.

Where do you see yourself in the future?

M.B: I see myself as somebody contributing to the greater establishment of my country. I believe Tunisia can contribute to world peace, and as a firm believer in this I would love to contribute through my work to an international NGO that works in the development area and is doing something valuable. Ideally, I would like to return to Tunisia and find the right opportunity to make good use of the knowledge I have acquired.

H.A: I see myself as bridge, connecting people and cultures, between the European and Mediterranean countries. So I hope that I will play this role: communicating with people and bringing them together for the future of our countries.

ABOUT THE PROGRAMME

The Euro-Mediterranean Masters and PhD programmes aim at training committed and highly-competent young professionals who will contribute towards the transformation of the Mediterranean region from their future positions in companies, government, research centres and non-profit organisations.

Established under the framework of the Declaration of the Paris Summit for the Mediterranean (Paris, 13th July 2008), the EMUNI University is an international network of over 200 universities headquartered in Slovenia. The main mission of the EMUNI University is to strengthen mutual understanding and intercultural dialogue among Euro-Mediterranean countries by implementing postgraduate study and research programmes which will significantly contribute towards the development of higher education, science and research.

Check here for more information on the programmes.