It will have deeply marked the history of marine sciences in Tunisia, the Maghreb and the Mediterranean. Professor Founoun Chakroun, a pioneer of oceanography in Tunisia, has passed away. She was the first director of the Salambô Oceanographic and Fisheries Institute (now INSTM), from 1967 to 1971, before being recalled to perform the same functions from 1976 to 1978
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Professor Chakroun was one of the first women to occupy a scientific management position in Tunisia and the Arab world and was from 1979 to 1997, a teacher at the National Agronomic Institute of Tunisia (INAT), training several generations of executives and researchers.
Through its commitment, it has laid the foundations of modern oceanography in Tunisia, valued Mediterranean marine ecosystems, inscribed Tunisian research in international networks and paved the way for generations of scientists, especially women
His international record is very rich:
1961: Participation in a scientific field trip to Villefranche-sur-Mer, a high place of Mediterranean oceanography.
1977: Participation in a mission by Captain Jacques Cousteau aboard the Calypso in the Mediterranean. It is therefore part of the major international scientific networks.
• Vice-President of the International Commission for the Scientific Exploration of the Mediterranean Sea (CIESM), 1965 – 1970 and 1972 – 1990.
• Vice-President of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (CGPM-FAO), 1968 – 1972.
His work can be consulted in the Bulletin of the Salambô Oceanographic and Fisheries Institute (now INSTM) since the 1960s: https://www.instm-bulletin.tn/index.php/bulletin
His exemplary career remains a source of inspiration and reminds us that passion, courage and determination can transform science and society.
source : Leaders
