Mr. Said Bhira was appointed special counsellor to the Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) on Higher Education and Research in September 2017. Born in 1955, Mr. Bhira is doctor in History and researcher at the University of La Manouba (Tunisia). He previously held the positions of Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tunisia (2015-2017) and Secretary General of the Economic and Social Council of Tunisia (2008-2011). During his career, Mr. Bhira also served in several management positions (counsellor, director general, director) at the Ministry of Higher Education and Research of Tunisia dealing with Higher Education management, Student Life and University Cooperation. Mr. Bhira also has extensive experience in participating in civil society activities (culture, human rights, international relations, trade unions, etc.).