HIDE’s curriculum is based on a rigorous skills and job framework, developed by experts from the University of Tunis in close collaboration with industry stakeholders (companies, public and private organizations, ministries). This educational framework ensures a balanced training that combines strong academic fundamentals with practical applications of AI. HIDE cultivates a new generation of hybrid engineers, blending cutting-edge technical expertise with human-centered vision. HIDE’s educational approach is built on a unique balance between:
- Scientific foundations (AI, computer science, mathematics)
- Transferable skills (ethics, communication, project management)
- Global readiness (100% English-taught programs)
- Holistic development (arts, sports, humanities)
Anchored by the Professional Competency Framework for AI (PCF-AI), HIDE’s curriculum aligns with market needs while anticipating tomorrow's challenges.
Professional Competency Framework for AI (PCF-AI)
Prior to curriculum design, HIDE’s academic team developed the Professional Competency Framework for AI (PCF-AI) through job role engineering methodology and global benchmarking of leading AI engineering programs. This framework identifies key AI professions and core competencies demanded by the job market. Moreover, the framework defines each profession through specific job functions and technical and transferable skills to ensure that graduates are equipped for technological advancements and industry needs.
Core Transferable Skills
Regardless of specialization, all students will master the following fundamental competencies:
- Critical thinking and problem-solving
- Time management, communication, and teamwork
- Ethics and human-centered design principles
- Intelligent agents and expert systems, including heuristics and metaheuristics (genetic algorithms, neural networks, fuzzy logic)
Knowledge Architecture
The curriculum is built on five foundational knowledge pillars:
- Computer Science (CS)
- Mathematics, Statistics & Quantitative Methods (MSQM)
- Humanities & Arts (HA)
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Science, Technology & Engineering (STE)
These five pillars form an integrated knowledge architecture that ensures both depth and interdisciplinarity. Each pillar contributes to shaping hybrid engineers with a solid scientific foundation, technological fluency, and human-centered thinking. Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence provide the technical backbone of the program, while Mathematics and Quantitative Methods reinforce analytical rigor. Science, Technology & Engineering connect theory to practical application through experimentation and design. Equally important, the Humanities & Arts pillar broadens students’ intellectual and ethical perspectives while fostering critical thinking, communication, and creativity, prerequisite competencies for responsible innovation in an AI-driven world.
Specializations in the Engineering Cycle
In order to ensure coherent pedagogical progression, the program is divided into two main phases:
- Integrated Preparatory Cycle (2 years: PI-IN1, PI-IN2): acquisition of a strong theoretical foundation and development of essential skills.
- Engineering Cycle (3 years: Eng1, Eng2, Eng3): practical application of knowledge and specialization in the field of AI.
To offer targeted training aligned with market needs, HIDE provides three main specializations during the final two years of the engineering cycle (Eng2 and Eng3):
- AI Engineering – Data Specialization: Data Analyst, Data Scientist
- AI Engineering – Industry Specialization: Industry 4.0, Robotics, Renewable Energy
- AI Engineering – Arts and Humanities Specialization: Digital Art, Digital Humanities
The program employs a semester-based structure that enables students to develop their skills progressively. Instruction is delivered through a balanced blend of in-person classes, distance learning, and applied projects, for the purpose of maintaining an optimal theory-practice equilibrium. This educational approach not only prepares engineering students for technological and industrial challenges but also strengthens their adaptability in an ever-evolving professional landscape.
English Language Mastery Requirement
The entire HIDE curriculum is delivered in English, requiring all students to have a minimum B2 proficiency level. To ensure linguistic fluency from the outset, a placement test was scheduled during the integration week, followed by an intensive language training program focused on writing and oral communication. The placement test results confirmed a solid level of English proficiency among students, allowing the courses to start entirely in English.
The integration week and enrollment process took place on September 2, 2024, including:
- Two days of open house and registration
- An English proficiency test to assess students' language levels
- An intensive English training program focused on writing and communication
This approach aims to assess and refresh students' language skills to ensure they effectively follow courses and engage in an international academic and industrial ecosystem.
Openness to Humanities, Culture, and Sports
In its commitment to training versatile engineers, HIDE integrates modules dedicated to humanities, arts, culture, and sports into its curriculum. The key modules include:
- Communication and Expression – Enhancing oral and written communication skills in academic and professional settings.
- Humanities and Philosophy – Introducing major ethical and moral reflections related to technological advancements.
- Art and Culture – Exploring interactions between technology and artistic creation (digital art, interactive media).
- Ethics and Law – Raising awareness of the legal and ethical aspects of AI (data protection, societal impact).
Through these modules, HIDE cultivates engineers with a global and humanistic perspective and equips them to anticipate the societal impacts of AI.