Theme: Blueprints For Tunisian Leaders

Join Us for the First Edition of TEDxSouthMediterraneanUniversity

📅 Date: March 8th, 2025
📍 Location: Campus of South Mediterranean University (Les Berges du Lac 2)
⏰ Time: 5:00 PM - 10:30 PM

TEDxSouthMediterraneanUniversity is launching its very first edition, bringing together bold ideas and inspiring stories under the theme Blueprints for Tunisian Leaders. This event will explore the journeys and impact of visionary Tunisians shaping the future. Open to university students, business owners, and anyone eager to grow, TEDxSMU offers a platform for powerful discussions and new perspectives. Since it falls during Ramadan, we invite you to join us for Iftar before the ceremony, creating a moment of connection before an evening filled with transformative ideas.

SMU
South Mediterranean University (MSB-MEDTECH-LCI)
Tunis, Ariana, 3000
Tunisia

Ahmed Ouesleti

Business Development and Sales Manager @Bako Motors

Ahmed Ouesleti is a dynamic Business Development & Sales Manager with a strong track record in the automotive and renewable energy sectors. With expertise in sales strategy, market expansion, and strategic partnerships, he has played a key role in driving growth at Bako Motors and leading innovative projects in sustainable mobility. His experience spans business development, marketing, and customer experience, positioning him as a key player in scaling operations and delivering impactful solutions in emerging markets.

Leila Bengacem

Social Entrepreneur - Ashoka Fellow - Founder of Blue Fish

Leila Ben-Gacem is a social entrepreneur, Ashoka fellow, working on promoting sustainable youth-inclusive tourism and cultural heritage preservation in Tunisia. She is the founder of Blue Fish consulting, Dar Ben Gacem Boutique Hotel, Dar el Harka co-working space and co-founder of Mdinti. All of Leila’s projects are social enterprises, that aim to improve the socio-economic dynamic of tangible and intangible heritage, through shared economy and community inclusive impact investments. In her past life, Leila was a biomedical engineer, and in her future life, she would like to become a writer.

Mortadha Manai

Senior AI Engineer, XAI Researcher, and CEO

Mr. Manai Mortadha is a Senior AI Engineer, XAI Researcher, and CEO with a passion for Artificial Intelligence, Explainable AI (XAI), and Generative AI. Currently, he serves as an XAI Engineer at Netflix. In parallel, he is an XAI Researcher at Saint Mary’s University, Canada, where he conducts cutting-edge research on explainability in AI auditing, social neural networks, and the intersection of AI and human decision-making. As the CEO of Man.AI, Mr. Manai leads a team of AI experts in delivering innovative AI-driven solutions. Beyond his technical contributions, he is a recognized International AI speaker, mentor, and consultant, actively engaging with the global AI community through conferences, panel discussions, and mentorship programs. His expertise has been showcased at more than 70 international AI events, including This Year 2025 - Michigan Technology Conference , Saint Louis STL TechWeek, Apres-Cyber Slopes Summit , Azure AI Connect and the Pacific Hackers Conference.

Samar Mezghanni

Writer | International Speaker

Dr. Samar is a Canadian/Tunisian/Iraqi writer and international speaker with two records in Guinness Book for World Records as the youngest writer in the world in 2000 and the most prolific writer in the world in 2002. She has written over a hundred stories and published 16 books. Her work earned her several awards and her stories were quoted by the Chair of the Nobel Prize in her speech at the Nobel Prize Ceremony in 2015. Samar is the first Tunisian to obtain a PhD from the University of Cambridge ever (in more than 800 years). She delivered keynote speeches in more than 30 countries across 5 continents including a Keynote speech at the United Nations (UN). The BBC nominated her as one of the 100 most inspiring women. The UN appointed her as a United Nations Young Leader for the Sustainable Development Goals. She was classified as one of the most influential Arab women in 2013 and one of the most important young leaders in the Arab region in 2012.