Workshop hosted by the 'Observatoire National de la Science et de la Technologie (Tunisie)'.

The workshop will be divided in two parts : collection and discussion of the science and technology indicators at our disposal today, and the need to enter the debate about innovation and policy study.

Tasks of the workshop

Task 1: Report on indicators of research and innovation in the region

First of all, as the White paper has expressed, the data on the research systems are still scattered and a lot of analysis is done without reference to the already existing stock of data. Among the proposals made at the Beirut workshop, was the idea to bring in the data from each partner on MIRA that could feed the MIRA Observatory.

Secondly, it has been noted that an effort needs to be made to tailor data to the specific objectives of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership on research and innovation as expressed by the Cairo Declaration. This is apparently the most difficult task today, probably because of a lack of an overall reference framework.

It is asked for MIRA partners that will participate to the Tunis Workshop to bring along the data published in their country. We particularly will need to document the following aspects in the discussion:

-       Type of public documents on science and technology recently published or up-dated, such as strategy for research, innovation survey, S&T description of the research potential;

-       Methodologies used in data collection of these documents (reference to Frascati or Oslo Manual…) and periodicity of such public documents (surveys to public research institutions and universities, surveys to companies, bibliometric analysis of research activties, prospective or forecast documents concerning research and innovation, …)

-       Analysis of research cooperation activities in such programmes as FP7 participation, TEMPUS programmes, ERAWIDE projects…)

We will discuss about the presentation of the general framework for the data as well as the preparation of a final document for MIRA on the research capabilities in various countries. In particular, we will try to go beyond the now usual analysis of the institutional background and focus on programmes, projects and trends in cooperation. Thus, any experience in specific sectors (environment, health research, ITCs, etc…) might be called in as examples of these trends.

We would like to have an exchange on the difficulties to create the indicators proposed in the White Paper and the way to align indicators to objectives drawn by the Cairo Declaration.

Task 2: Preparation of a research proposal on research and innovation policy

The second task is more forward looking: based on the discussions inside MIRA, as well as in the European Commission on research and innovation, we will draft the needs of a study on innovation policies and the related analytical needs: what type of material do we expect to base our analysis on? What is missing in terms of innovation activities in the country? Should we use a national innovation system framework? Is there a specific need in the Mediterranean countries as far as analysis is concerned? What have been the impacts in terms of innovation toward stakeholders of the research agenda of the European in its cooperation agreements with Mediterranean countries? What has been the outcome in projects such as ERAWIDE schemes that specifically attend the issue of research capabilities? How does the innovation issue connect to other issues such as research infrastructure, economic policy, entrepreneurship? Where do we stand in terms of innovation surveys around the Mediterranean basin? How can we benefit from previous work done in Medibtikar, ESTIME and other projects?

A possible outcome of this discussion should be to draft a project on innovation policy and innovation research in the region. Some preliminary steps have already been taken and we would benefit from external participants to the MIRA project that have been working on these topics previously. Specific areas need also to be focussed upon: Blue biotechnology, pollution issues, nanotechnologies, biotechnologies… How do we connect to the “research clusters” that have bee defined by the European commission on which MIRA is participating in other workpackages?

The discussion would be more open in this second part of the workshop and we hope all participants can contribute by making short contributions followed by discussion on the way forward in each of these issues. It is expected that we draft a preliminary proposal to be circulated after the workshop that could then be transformed into a full-fledged proposal.

Preliminary programme

28 of November

• Inauguration by the Minister of Research  (or its representative)
• Introduction by Tunisian partners on the workshop, ONST, Dr. Arbia Ben Othman
• EU Representative from Commission Brussels (Aurélie Pancera?) tbc
• Concept note by Rigas Arvanitis (WP2 leader of MIRA)
• Presentation of the data by MIRA partners on science and technology and international collaborations : country representatives
• Discussion on the form of the final report to be delivered as part of MIRA’s engagement toward EC and MIRA partner countries.

29 of November

• Introductory note on objectives of the session : Rigas Arvanitis
• Analytical study of innovation in MIRA, linkage to EMIS: Yasemin Koç
• Keynote speech: Philippe Larédo (IFRIS, Ecole des Ponts, Marne-la-Vallée)
• Presentations/concept discussions and cases:

- Jean-Yves Moisseron (IRd)

- Jacques Gaillard (IRD), tbc

- Catherine Le Chalony (CEA France),

- Tamer El-Sayed TAHA (World Bank)

• Presentations of research and innovation policy frameworks to be developed in a study on innovation in the coming years
• Drafting of the preliminary objectives and tasks of a project related to innovation activities in the region: policy and data gathering.

Call for the participants

MIRA Partners who want to participate should send the proposals to both Arbia Ben Othman and Rigas Arvanitis and Hatem M’Henni. Decision to participate will be taken as soon as possible.

We ask you to interact with this preliminary programme and propose specific inputs and presentations for the Workshop.

Proposals should be directed to :

Arbia Ben Othman: Arbia.Benothman at mes.rnu.tn

Rigas Arvanitis : rigas at option-service.fr or rigas.arvanitis at ird.fr

Hatem M’Henni: hatem_mhenni at yahoo.fr