PASRI: New Project to Strengthen the Research and Innovation System in Tunisia
13 October 2011
Read by 1479 persons
The main goals of the PASRI Project (Project to Support the Research and Innovation System), launched Wednesday in Tunis, are to improve the governance of the National Research and Innovation System (SRI), energize the research environment, and develop national and international networking activities.
This new project, funded by a 12 million euro grant from the European Union (over 23 million dinars), will run until 2014. Its aim is to improve the contribution of research and innovation to socio-economic development, create new jobs in Tunisia, strengthen the link between the research and production systems, and help the country integrate European research programs.
The project, set to begin in 2012, will focus on diagnosing the National Innovation System (NIS), strengthening contact points for European research and innovation programs and networks, and supporting the capacity of key organizations responsible for promoting research and innovation.
Besides research centers and specialized support structures, industrial and service companies will also benefit from the project. In this regard, GIZ, the German Agency for International Cooperation, a partner in the "PASRI" project, will provide technical assistance to 200 companies. This assistance includes setting up an innovation management system, training innovation managers, and offering specialized technical support for innovation projects.
Speaking at the opening of the PASRI launch seminar, Mr. Abdelaziz Rassaa, Minister of Industry and Technology, stated that this important project is an "excellent opportunity to strengthen Tunisia's national research and innovation system, which needs to be efficient to succeed in any economic development strategy."
He added that "the project will undoubtedly help revive Tunisia's economy and contribute to achieving the objectives set for Tunisian industry."
In 2011, the share of technological product exports in total industrial exports in Tunisia did not exceed 30%. The minister of Industry recalled that the goal is to increase this share to 50% by 2016 by developing key sectors (electrical, electronics, technical textiles, etc.).
Mr. Refaat Chaabouni, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, believes that "only a strong and viable National Innovation System can boost the nation's collective intelligence and transform it into wealth and jobs."
The minister also advocates for the university's integration into the economic and social framework and a "restructuring" of the university-society landscape. He noted that university graduates are the primary drivers of innovation in companies, "as employees or entrepreneurs."
This first meeting of the project's steering committee was organized in Gammarth by the National Agency for the Promotion of Scientific Research (ANPRS) in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the Ministry of Industry and Technology. (TAP)
Kamel.
Tunigeek.com
Published October 13, 2011.
Online October 13, 2011.
This new project, funded by a 12 million euro grant from the European Union (over 23 million dinars), will run until 2014. Its aim is to improve the contribution of research and innovation to socio-economic development, create new jobs in Tunisia, strengthen the link between the research and production systems, and help the country integrate European research programs.
The project, set to begin in 2012, will focus on diagnosing the National Innovation System (NIS), strengthening contact points for European research and innovation programs and networks, and supporting the capacity of key organizations responsible for promoting research and innovation.
Besides research centers and specialized support structures, industrial and service companies will also benefit from the project. In this regard, GIZ, the German Agency for International Cooperation, a partner in the "PASRI" project, will provide technical assistance to 200 companies. This assistance includes setting up an innovation management system, training innovation managers, and offering specialized technical support for innovation projects.
Speaking at the opening of the PASRI launch seminar, Mr. Abdelaziz Rassaa, Minister of Industry and Technology, stated that this important project is an "excellent opportunity to strengthen Tunisia's national research and innovation system, which needs to be efficient to succeed in any economic development strategy."
He added that "the project will undoubtedly help revive Tunisia's economy and contribute to achieving the objectives set for Tunisian industry."
In 2011, the share of technological product exports in total industrial exports in Tunisia did not exceed 30%. The minister of Industry recalled that the goal is to increase this share to 50% by 2016 by developing key sectors (electrical, electronics, technical textiles, etc.).
Mr. Refaat Chaabouni, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, believes that "only a strong and viable National Innovation System can boost the nation's collective intelligence and transform it into wealth and jobs."
The minister also advocates for the university's integration into the economic and social framework and a "restructuring" of the university-society landscape. He noted that university graduates are the primary drivers of innovation in companies, "as employees or entrepreneurs."
This first meeting of the project's steering committee was organized in Gammarth by the National Agency for the Promotion of Scientific Research (ANPRS) in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the Ministry of Industry and Technology. (TAP)
Kamel.
Tunigeek.com
Published October 13, 2011.
Online October 13, 2011.
