Mawadda Hasan, REBUILD Project Manager in Tobruk municipality
In terms of the university’s role, I believe the REBUILD project has greatly strengthened the relationship between municipalities and universities. Beyond building the capacity and resources of municipal staff, REBUILD has provided similar support to university staff through training-of-trainers programs, networking opportunities, and enhanced recognition for university staff with local communities and authorities.
This partnership has prompted universities to expand their vision, understanding that they also have a role in local and community development beyond being only limited to the academic realm. I see this as a common outcome among the project’s partner municipalities and universities. We’ve developed various joint programs and established a platform for exchanging expertise, which continues to enrich both municipal and academic capabilities.
During the REBUILD training activities, I organised a dialogue session on the role of entrepreneurship and SMEs in the city’s development. I invited professors from Tobruk University to speak alongside me, discussing the impact of entrepreneurship on economic and community development, as well as introducing the concept of SMEs. Trainees from Tobruk municipality were also invited, and the audience included academics, entrepreneurs, civil society members, and business leaders. REBUILD trainees engaged actively with real-world examples and local insights, and they even requested a longer session in the future to delve deeper into the topic. It was encouraging to see such strong participation and interest and to engage the project in such an event.
A trainer from Al Asmarya University (in Zliten) conducted an online training session, focusing on his area of expertise. His involvement, coordinated by Tobruk University REBUILD Project Officer, is indeed a great example of how we’re fostering a community of practice among the universities involved in REBUILD.
