The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has renovated and equipped the Physiotherapy Department for Visually Impaired Students at the Higher School of Health Sciences and Techniques of Tunis (ESSTST), part of the University of El Manar in Tunisia’s capital.
The project marks a major upgrade for the first academic unit of its kind in Africa, transforming the classroom into a fully accessible and modern training environment for visually impaired students. The new setup includes human skeleton and muscular system models, posture analysis tools, exercise bands and straps, physiotherapy tables, electrotherapy and hot-cold therapy devices, as well as Braille reading and writing equipment.
Established in 1965, ESSTST remains one of Tunisia’s premier public health institutions, producing skilled healthcare professionals across the continent. Since its inception, the department has graduated 743 visually impaired students from Tunisia, other African countries, and the Middle East.
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With the new equipment, about 50 students will now receive hands-on physiotherapy training annually, enhancing their professional skills and employment prospects. The initiative also reinforces Tunisia’s efforts to promote equal opportunities and the social inclusion of visually impaired youth.
TİKA’s support aligns with its broader mission to promote inclusive education, youth empowerment, and local development in Tunisia through targeted capacity-building and educational projects.
