Tozeur: The 4th Tunisian-Algerian Border Universities Meeting (5+5) was held on Monday in Tozeur City, with the participation of the Sirte University (Libya), to discuss the scientific research and joint economic projects.This meeting is part of twice-yearly meetings held to discuss joint academic programmes and projects.The Tunisian-Algerian-Libyan Scientific Research Academy will be launched set up at the end of this event, Gafsa University President Rached Ben Younes announced.This acedemy, which will bring together research students from 10 universities in these 3 countries, is a project that will be submitted to the Higher Education Ministry at the next academic council for approval.This academy is designed to launch a joint research diploma to crown the joint work between these countries and acknowledge the key role of scientific research in economlic and social development.The academy's activities will focus on three fields, namely energy and water, artificial intelligence (AI) and agricultur al science, given the shared challenges facing these countries.Taking the floor, President of the El Oued University and Algerian Universities Coordinator Omar Ferhati indicated that these projects and activities are part of the implementation of concluded inter-university agreements and is a step towards defined and fruitful works.There is also need to make approved and recognised joint training courses available, notably joint training courses between El Oued, Gafsa, Gabes, Souk Ahres and Jendouba universities.Libya's Sirte University partook in this event as a guest of honour, until the agreement expands to include the border universities of the three countries.Sirte University President Tayeb Kobbi said for his part, that once they officially join the agreement, Libyan universities will seek to make the most of the academic experience of Tunisia and Algeria.Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse