(TAP) - A $500,000 cooperation and partnership programme in the field of higher education intended to hone Tunisian educators’ English language skills has been launched, the US embassy in Tunis announced.

The programme is a collaboration between the Higher Education and Scientific Research Ministry, the Columbia International Center in Tunisia and the Teachers College at Columbia University.

It seeks to develop a national model for the English Teaching Programme in Tunisian higher education institutions that grant the "National License of Education and Teaching," the embassy said in a statement, Monday.

As part of the two-year project, launched on February 4, four training sessions will be held in the areas of planning and evaluation, teacher training and integration of knowledge and practices for two groups of 30 university teachers across the country.

Graduates of these training courses will serve as trainers and advisers for the new generation of primary English teachers.

US Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Gregory D. Lo Gerfo said, “The programme will strengthen the existing ties between the United States and Tunisia and will build the capacity of Tunisian educators to prepare young learners for a better future,” the same source said.