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Maurice Dawson, associate professor of information technology and management at Illinois Tech, lent his expertise in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence to a Tunisian business school during his sixth experience with the United States Department of State’s Fulbright Scholar program.

The Fulbright Specialist program pairs highly qualified U.S. academics and professionals with host institutions abroad to share their expertise, strengthen institutional linkages, hone their skills, gain international experience, and learn about other cultures while building capacity at their overseas host institutions. Specialists represent a wide range of professional and academic disciplines, and they are competitively selected to join the Fulbright Specialist Roster based on their knowledge, skill sets, and ability to make a significant contribution to projects overseas.

Dawson’s latest Fulbright Specialist experience took place at Tunis Business School at University of Tunis, where its leaders are seeking to update their curriculum to incorporate AI and cybersecurity into its information technology and analytics programs to meet global standards.

“The most exciting aspect of the visit was the opportunity to bridge U.S. and North African education systems through AI and cybersecurity,” Dawson says. “This project allowed for deep engagement with Tunisian students and faculty who are eager to adopt next-generation technologies. Seeing their enthusiasm and innovation firsthand was inspiring. Moreover, it offered a platform to share Illinois Tech’s cybersecurity and AI education model while learning from Tunisia’s growing technology ecosystem.”

During his two-week trip in September, Dawson provided guidance on U.S. best practices in AI and information systems education. He worked with Salah Ben Abdallah, professor of business computing at Tunis Business School, to evaluate curricula, conduct faculty workshops, and introduce frameworks for integrating AI ethics, data privacy, and cybersecurity into business analytics education.

Dawson also hosted workshops across multiple institutions including Higher Institute of Digital Engineering (HIDE) and Institut Supérieur de Gestion de Tunis, in addition to Tunis Business School. These workshops guided discussions on AI’s transformative potential in business and technology. The project also included research collaboration, with plans for joint AI-driven initiatives such as digital twin models for Tunisian health care systems and blockchain traceability in finance.

“As the Fulbright specialist, I provided guidance on U.S. best practices in AI and information systems education,” Dawson says. “Equally meaningful was the chance to contribute to Tunisia’s national vision for digital transformation, while strengthening people-to-people ties through the Fulbright mission of mutual understanding and academic diplomacy.”