The logic and the reasoning fascinate me about Mathematics
Education
- 1998 : Bachelor of Mathematics. Faculty of Sciences of Monastir, Tunisia.
- 2005 : Lecturer Certificate in Mathematics. Preparatory Institute for Scientific and Technical Studies, Tunisia.
- 2012 : PhD Mathematic Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, Tunisia.
- 2017 : Habilitation in Mathematics. Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, Tunisia.
Professional experience
- 1998-2005: Professor of Secondary School in Mathematics in Tunisia.
- 2005-2012: Lecturer in Mathematics. Preparatory Institute for Scientific and Technical Studies, Tunisia.
- 2012 to date : Assistant Professor of Higher Education in Mathematics in Tunisia.
Questionnaire
Your story with mathematics
Can you tell us something about your story? Why did you join the field of Mathematics? How did you discover your passion for mathematics? Or When have you decided to be a mathematician and why?
I joined the field of Mathematics because I love Mathematics. I have decided to be a mathematician when I was a student in secondary school at the age of fifteen. In this age, I already dream to become a Mathematician at university. After obtaining in 1998 my bachelor in mathematics, I teach in secondary school for five years. Then, I become lecturer in mathematics and I teach in Preparatory Institute for Engineers for seven years. In 2009, I return to postgraduate studies by registering in thesis.
What fascinates you about Mathematics?
The logic and the reasoning fascinate me about Mathematics.
Did you have a role model that influenced your decision to become a mathematician?
My teachers of Mathematics in secondary school had a role model that influenced my decision to become a mathematician. They had transmitted to me the passion for Mathematics.
Has anyone supported you in your choice and during your career?
There are many people that supported me in my choice and during my career: my parents, my husband, my friends, my PhD supervisor.
Were there any specific factors that helped you succeed?
The encouragement of my entourage and the patience of my husband helped me succeed. I have a very supportive husband. Despite, I have better qualifications than him, he keeps going his encouragements to me. This is not usually accepted where we come from.
Would you see it was easy for you to enter your field, and ultimately excel?
It wasn't easy to excel but it has needed so much sacrifices.
What challenges did you encounter on the way?
The challenges that I encountered on the way were to reconciliate between my work and my family (my husband and my children).
Career and Family
Do you come from an academic family?
I don't come from academic family but my family encourages me to go on in my studies.
How does your family regard your career choice?
My family respects my career choice while they think that it is a hard choice.
Is it hard to manage both career and private life? Do you have kids? Tell us about balancing family life with work life?
I try to divide my time between my work and my private life. I have two kids: a daughter who's fifteen and a son who's twelve. It is so difficult to balance family life with work life.
Women and Mathematics
What were the biggest obstacles you had to overcome? Did you ever have the impression that it would be easier/harder if you were male?
I have sometimes the impression that it would be easier if I was a male because a male has less responsibilities than a female and he has more time to spend in working.
Did you encounter any specific difficulties relating to the field of mathematics?
I think that the difficulties concern the education system in our country. I think that the programs must be revised as well as the system of evaluation. But, I think that these difficulties are related to the education of all disciplines and are not specific to mathematics.
Tell us about the organizations for women mathematicians that you are a part of? How has this helped your career?
I'm not a part of any organization for women mathematicians. The only organization for women mathematicians (Tunisian Women Mathematicians Association) was founded in June 2015. I came into academics in 2009, when we haven’t specific associations for mathematician women.
Do you consider it necessary to organize special programs like Girl’s Day promoting mathematics for girls in schools?
I don't think that is necessary in my country where we haven’t discrimination in studies because of gender. Tunisia has 300 women who has PhD in mathematics. Besides about fifty per cent of academic publications in the field of research in mathematics are by women.
What is your strategy to catch and keep the attention of your audience?
The strategy consists of giving examples and models of applications from other disciplines and real life.
How would you explain your research to a layman (non-specialist)?
I am interested in resolving differential equations and problems that may have applications in applied fields.
Can you tell us about the applications of your research, if any?
The problems that I consider have origins in physics, mechanics, biology...
Conclusion
What are your biggest achievements ?
My biggest achievement is my success to carry out my career alongside my family life.
Do you have a dream? Any particular problem you dream to solve now? I have an exam to pass and I hope to succeed. My dream is to continue to work and produce in the field of mathematics. I also dream to be able to transmit my passion for mathematics to my students.
Which advice would you give to young girls who want to engage a career in mathematics?
I advice them to have a lot of patient because it is very long way