1

Mapping research systems in

developing countries

Country report: The Science and Technology system of Tunisia

Project Leaders:

CREST: Centre for Research on Science and Technology, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa

IRD: Institute for Research on Development,

France

i

Table of Contents

Section 1: The political environment................................................................................................... 1

Section 2: Country characteristics ....................................................................................................... 2

Section 3: Science and Technology System ......................................................................................... 4

3.1 Governance of science and technology ............................................................................ 4

3.2 Science and technology landscape ................................................................................... 8

3.3 Human capital for S&T ................................................................................................... 14

3.4 Research and development funding ............................................................................... 16

3.5 Research outputs ........................................................................................................... 18

3.6 Innovation strategies ..................................................................................................... 24

4. References ..................................................................................................................... 27

Useful websites ............................................................................................................................ 27

1

REPUBLIC OF TUNISIA1

Mziwandile Madikizela

High Impact Innovation, Johannesburg

List of abbreviations

Ministry of Scientific Research Technology and Competency Development MSRTDC

Institute for Agricultural Research and IRESA

Scientific Research and Technology Innovation System SRTIS

Public Research Institute PRI

Public Health Institute PHI

Tunisian Dinar TD

Federal Research Programme FRP

Programme of Innovation and Research Development PIRD

Valorisation of Research Results VRR

Technology Achievement Index TAI

Section 1: The political environment

Tunisia is a republic with a strong presidential system dominated by a single political party. The ruling party, the Constitutional Democratic Assembly (RCD), was the sole legal party for 25 years, when it was known as the Socialist Destourian Party (PSD)-and still dominates political life. The President is elected to 5-year terms and appoints a Prime Minister and cabinet, who play a strong role in the execution of policy. The central government also appoints regional governors and local administrators; largely consultative mayors and municipal councils are elected. There is a unicameral legislative body, the Chamber of Deputies, which has 182 seats, 20% of which are reserved for the opposition. It plays a growing role as an arena for debate on national policy but never originates legislation and virtually always passes bills presented by the executive with only minor changes.

1 N.B. A new important resource is the “Report on Scientific Research in Tunisia” (2007), drawing from a

monograph by M. M’Henni, and it is available for download on www.estime.ird.fr. It is widely used in this project to update and complete the data first presented to the UNESCO Higher Education Forum.

2

Tunisia is a leader in the Arab world in promoting the legal and social status of women. A Personal Status Code was adopted shortly after independence in 1956 that, among other things, gave women full legal status and outlawed polygamy. The government required parents to send girls to school, and today more than 50% of university students are women. Rights of women and children were further enhanced by 1993 reforms, which included a provision to allow Tunisian women to transmit citizenship even if they are married to a foreigner and living abroad. The government has supported a remarkably successful family planning program that has reduced the population growth rate to just over 1% per annum, contributing to Tunisia's economic and social stability.

Section 2: Country characteristics

2.1 Basic economic outlook

Tunisia is continuing to make major progress in terms of economic and social development. The prudent macroeconomic policies initiated in recent years have allowed inflation and the budget deficit to be stabilized and economic aggregates to be consolidated. The high level of education of its labour force, its proximity to the European market and its social and institutional stability are advantages that should enable Tunisia to develop new activities, notably in the service sector. The process of price liberalisation and abandonment of subsidies remains slow, however. At international level, integration of the Tunisian economy poses several problems in terms of competitiveness and adaptability. With the end of the Multi-Fibre Agreement in January 2005 and the numerous free trade agreements it has signed, the country risks feeling the full force of the impact of its openness to international competition. The difficulties currently being expressed by its main export industry – textiles and clothing – highlight its need to find new sources of growth capable of generating jobs (tourism is already well developed). The high level of unemployment (13.9% in 2004), particularly among qualified young higher education graduates, is also a major challenge for political leaders. Finally, numerous structural reforms are needed to reinforce transport infrastructure. To respond to these issues, and to integrate into an ever more competitive world market, Tunisia needs to improve its private sector investment climate, put greater emphasis on governance and reduce bureaucracy. The recovery of the Tunisian economy was confirmed in 2004 thanks to the pursuit of sound macroeconomic policies. GDP growth improved, rising from 5.5% in 2004 to 5.6% in 2005. Forecasts for 2006 and 2007 put real GDP growth at 5.3 and 5.5% respectively.

Figure 1: GDP growth between 2000 and 2005 for Tunisia

GDP growth

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Years

%G

DP g

row

th

Series1

Source: OECD African Outlook Report

3

Generally speaking this is one of the most successful economies among Arab (non-oil) countries, with an abiding trend of growth (including GNP per capita), prominent achievements in education and health, good human development indicators, an economy which is diversifying (with a focus on ICT) attractive to Foreign Investments and consistently positive perceptions from the business world (Global Competitiveness Report).

Table 1: Selected economic indicators of Tunisia

BASIC ECONOMIC DATA

GDP (PPP) $82.85 billion (2005 est.)

GDP-real Growth rate 4.2% (2005 est.)

GDP per capita $8,200 (2005 est.)

Inflation Rate 2.1% (2005 est.)

GDP composition per sector

agriculture

industry

services

13.2%

31.8%

55% (2005 est.)

Source: Compiled from CIA Fact Sheet

2.2 Demographic characteristics

Table 2: Summary of geographic and demographic characteristics of Tunisia

GEOGRAPHY

Area total: 163,610 sq km; land: 155,360 sq km: water: 8,250 sq km

Cities Tunis, Capital 1.8 million inhabitants, including suburbs)

Other large cities: Sfax (231,000), Arianna (153,000), Gabès (139,000), Sousse (125,000), Kairouan (103,000)

Climate temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers; desert in south

4

Table 2 Continued

DEMOGRAPHIC

Nationality Tunisian(s) Arab 98%, European 1%, Jewish and other 1

Population 10,175,014 (July 2006 est).

Religions Muslim 98%, Christian 1%, Jewish and other 1%

Language Arabic (official and one of the languages of commerce), French (commerce)

Literacy total population: 74.3%; male: 83.4%; female: 65.3% (2004 est)

Health(life expectancy) 75.12 years

Workforce 3.41 million Agriculture-80%, Industry, commerce, government-20%

Source: CIA Fact Sheet

Section 3: Science and Technology System

3.1 Governance of science and technology

3.1.1 The National Science and Technology policy of Tunisia

From Independence onwards (1959) significant attention was paid to research and higher education. A new institutional framework was immediately established with the setting up of the University of Tunis, several prestigious Engineering Schools and a number of new Research Centres which dealt with fields not yet covered (problems of arid zones, use of saline water, forestry; as well as archaeology or economic and social studies). A new step forward was taken by the fifth Plan (1977-1981), allowing sizeable means to direct research toward development priorities and develop links between the productive sector and public research. The Ministry for Higher Education and Research was then created (1978), chairing a Council for Scientific Research and Technology which gathered all the ministries concerned and was further divided into 14 specialized Committees. Funding was allocated through National programmes (mobilizing the potential toward the most crucial problems of development), Research Contracts (allowing academic research to organize teams in a range of disciplinary fields) and the Fund for scientific research and mastering of technology (encouraging research useful for and conducted with the productive sector). A new scientific Institute was set up (INRST, mostly oriented to applied research) and finally in 1989 a National Scientific Research Foundation was created.

The founding of SERST (State Secretariat for Scientific Research and Technology, attached to the Prime Minister) in 1991 represented an essential turning point for the promotion of the R&D sector. The SERST was later upgraded as a full Ministry (MSRT, 2001) and reformed in 2004 as MSRTCD (adding to its prerogatives the task to develop all sorts of skills useful for innovation). Since that time, the proportion of GERD to GDP never ceased to increase and the organization of research has continued to improve.

5

In this context, the objectives of the scientific research and technological innovation system (SRTIS) are by now:

To reinforce coordination between different components of SRTIS in order to create the necessary synergy to build enduring competencies and to ensure a more sustained financial support to the sector;

To continue the structuring of the SRTIS through the establishment of new research centres, laboratories and research units

To promote competency development, or capacity building, as an important factor to consolidate the SRTIS as well as an efficient way towards innovation and technological transfer;

To increase progressively internal expenditure allocated to the research system reaching 1,25% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2009, while ensuring diversity of financial resources allocated by reducing progressively the State contribution and reinforcing those of the private sector and international cooperation;

To facilitate the execution of research programs in laboratories and research units through more flexibility of procedures in spending funds allocated to scientific activities;

To increase efforts through Federative Research Programs;

To promote innovation and technological development through the support of innovative companies, the valorisation of research results, the reinforcement of partnership between research structures and private companies and the creation of technoparks and incubators;

To reinforce the follow up and the evaluation of research activities and structures;

To develop a high level national expertise in the strategic fields for the development and the safety of the country;

To promote scientific and technological culture and information through development of information networks and the improvement of accessibility to databases and documentation centres at the national and international levels;

To develop international cooperation at both bilateral and multilateral levels in order to facilitate the exchange of experiences between Tunisian research teams and other partners, to access international scientific excellence networks, to benefit from international research financing, and to contribute to universal scientific and technological progress.

3.1.2 Institutional Arrangements

3.1.2.1 Ministry of Scientific Research, Technology and Competency Development (MSRTCD)

The Ministry of Scientific Research, Technology and Competency Development (MSRTCD) is in charge of formulating the national policy and strategy in the field of scientific research and technological development, as well as its execution in collaboration with concerned ministries and has the following mandate:

Drafting and following up of plans, implementation strategies, and the determination of priorities and programs in the scientific research, technological innovation and competency development sector;

6

Management of financial resources coming from public and private sectors and from international cooperation to the benefit of the scientific research;

Proposing appropriate mechanisms for an optimal use of scientific equipments within the framework of partnership conventions with production structures;

Spreading the culture of intellectual property and patents among researchers and inventors;

Preparing strategies for international cooperation and follow up of international agreements;

Involvement of Tunisian scientific competencies abroad in the determination, execution and evaluation of research programs

Management, evaluation and coordinating structures

The Management, evaluation and co-ordinating as well as their roles and responsibilities are as follows:

The Higher council of scientific research and technology

The Higher Council of Scientific Research and Technology (chaired by the Prime Minister) is in charge of following up and evaluating the sector, elaborating recommendations on the general orientation of the scientific research and technological innovation and proposing new measures leading to the promotion of scientific research and technological development. It is of a political nature and bring together all the ministries concerned

National consultative council of scientific research and technology

The National Consultative Council of Scientific Research and Technology formulates proposals concerning matters in the field of Scientific Research, Technology and Competency Development which are in relation with important national orientations and major strategic programs of the country. This council consists of 25 renowned retired scholars that are experts in the field.

National evaluation committee of scientific research activities

The National Evaluation Committee of Scientific Research Activities is an independent body in charge of the evaluation of public scientific research structures and activities as well as private sector research programs benefiting from a public funding.

The Committee defines the criteria, the methods and the suitable procedures of evaluation within the framework of its mission. For each evaluation, the committee puts forward recommendations aiming at increasing efficiency and adequacy between allocated means and achieved results. Assessment teams often invite foreign experts to join them.

Technical committee of scientific research and technology

The Technical Committee of Scientific Research and Technology provides coordination between the different ministries, in the follow-up of the progress of the execution of the research programs and their financing and in the preparation of the works of the Higher Council of Scientific Research and Technology. It is attached to the MRSTCD and includes representatives of the ministries concerned

7

3.1.2.2 The Ministry of Agriculture

The Ministry of Agriculture, environment and water resources coordinates agricultural research and higher education through the Institute for Agricultural Research and Agricultural Higher Education (IRESA). IRESA insures both financial and administrative management for its research centres.

3.1.2.3 Other Ministries

Other ministries have recently created research institutions each in its field of interest. The Ministry of Education cooperates with MSRTCD especially in human capital development and in the technoparks.

Figure 3: Simplified Illustration of the institutional arrangements in S&T in Tunisia

Source: Compiled from MRSTDC website

3.1.3 National priorities

The national research priorities concern primarily the fields of:

Biotechnology,

Water management,

Energy,

Environment,

Fight against desertification,

Microelectronics,

Nanotechnology,

Health,

Environment and social sciences,

ICT

Office of the Presidency

Ministry of Scientific Research, Technology and Competency

Development

The higher council of scientific research and

technology

National consultative council of scientific

research and technology

Technical committee of scientific research and technology

National evaluation committee of scientific research activities

8

3.2 Science and technology landscape

In 1996, the orientation law on scientific research and technological development and its application decrees resulted in significant restructuring of the National R&D System through the creation of research laboratories and units in Public Research Institutions, Public Health Institutions and Higher Education and Research Institutions.

3.2.1 R&D Performing Institutes

3.2.1.1 Basic research structures: research laboratories and units

Restructuring Scientific Research and Technological Innovation System contributed to the creation of 139 research laboratories and 624 research units. The distribution of these research laboratories and units between major fields is shown in Table 3.

Table 3 a: Distribution of research laboratories by field

FIELD NUMBER OF LABORATORIES %

Social and Human Sciences 6 4

Juridical and Economic Sciences 14 10

Exact Sciences 37 27

Life and Biotechnological Sciences 72 52

Engineering Sciences 10 7

Total 139 100

Source: MRSTDC website

Table 3 b: Distribution of research units by field

Discipline Number of units %

Human and Social Sciences 81 13

Economics and Legal Studies 66 11

Exact Sciences 113 18

Life Sciences and Biotechnology 301 48

Engineering Science and Technology 63 10

Total 624 100

Source: MRSTDC website

9

Laboratories are larger than research units, with more restrictive constraints, strict (international) assessment (each 4 years) and better support. One unit generally consists of 5 to 10 persons, one laboratory 40 to 50 (including doctoral students).

3.2.1.2 Public Research Institutions (PRI)

Tunisia has 31 research centres and institutions, conducting research activities partially or totally and attached to the different ministries. They employ full time researchers and they cover the various sectors of economic and social activity. Their number has changed considerably and progressed from 22 in 1989 to 32 in 2006. Their budgets have risen by an annual average of 12% since 2000. However, their permanent research staff has not developed as much, by 6% per year. The absence of any special status for permanent researchers might explain this, among other factors. Nevertheless, the numbers of contract research or research-support personnel have raised significantly thanks to funds assigned to research establishments budgets.

Table 4: Distribution of Public Research Institutions by Ministries

INSTITUTION YEAR OF CREATION

MINISTRY OF SUPERVISION

National Marine Sciences and Technologies Institute 1924 Ministry of Scientific Research, Technology and Competency Development

Economic and Social Research and Studies Centre 1962

Arid Regions Institute 1976

National Academic Centre of Scientific and Technical Documentation 1978

Biotechnology Centre of Sfax 1983

National Technological and Nuclear Sciences Centre 1993

National Physical-chemical Analysis and Research Institute 1995

Water Technologies and Research Centre 2005

Energy Technologies and Research Centre 2005

Biotechnology Centre of Borj Cedria 2005

Centre for Research and Studies on Civilizations Dialogue and Compared Religions

2005

Centre for Research on Materials Science 2006

National Agronomic Research Institute of Tunis 1914 Ministry of Agriculture and Hydraulic resources Veterinary Research Institute of Tunis 1970

Olive Tree Institute 1981

10

Table 4 Continued

INSTITUTION YEAR OF CREATION

MINISTRY OF SUPERVISION

National Research Institute on Rural Engineering, Water and Forests 1996

Pasteur Institute of Tunis 1893 Ministry of Public Health

National Food Technology and Nutrition Institute 1969

Salah Azaiez Institute 1969

National Neurological Institute 1974

National Radioprotection Centre 1982

National Movement History Higher Institute 1989 Ministry of Higher Education

Kairouan Islamic Studies Centre 1990

Telecommunication Research and Studies Centre 1988 Ministry of Communication Technologies

Women Information and Documentation Studies and Research Centre 1990 Ministry of Women Affairs, Family, Childhood and Old Persons

National Remote Sensing Centre 1988 Ministry of National Defence

Juridical and Legal Studies Centre 1993 Ministry of Justice and Human Rights

National Heritage Institute 1957 Ministry of Culture and Heritage Protection

Labour Health and Security Institute 1991 Ministry of Social Affairs, Solidarity and Tunisians Abroad Social Security Research and Studies Centre 1996

Tunis International Centre for Environment Technologies 1996 Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development

Source: MRSTDC website

11

3.2.1.3 Technoparks/Centres of Excellence

Technoparks (table 5) have been established for development through technological innovation. The objective is to create a “park for excellence” or a “specialized excellency park” settled in a space of territorial and relational proximity, where researchers, academics, executives and senior managers closely cooperate to find appropriate solutions to market needs. Tunisia has a number of operational technoparks in various fields and more are still under development. All technoparks include: a production area (relay workshops and industrial park), a technological innovation area (firm incubator and technological resources centre),a university park (Higher education institutions having close fields with the specializations of the technopark),a research park (public and private research centres in fields of relevance to the activities of the technopark),a shared services area (accommodation, leisure spaces, health services, banks, conveniences stores etc.).

Table 5: Established Technoparks

TECHNO PARKS SPECIALTY AREA

Borj Cedria - Water and Environment,

- Renewable Energy,

- Plant Biotechnology

- Materials Science.

89ha

Sidi Thabet Medical Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical industry. 92ha

Sousse - Microelectronics; Mechanics, and Nanotechnologies,

- IT. 60ha

Sfax Informatics and Multimedia 60ha

Monastir Textile and clothing 100ha

Bizerte Food industries 87ha

Source: MRSTDC website

Planned technoparks and their areas of focus include the following:

Mednine: Desert resources,

Jendouba: Forest products valorisation, (among other activities to be determined),

Gafsa: Phosphates (among other activities to be determined),

Gammarth: Cinema industry (this technopark is the first to be entirely financed and run by the private sector),

The Marine technologies network: Aquaculture, Biotechnology, Biodiversity and marine Environment.

12

3.2.1.4 Higher Education Sector

Tunisia has 178 institutions of higher education, among them 24 Higher Institutes of Technological Studies (ISET). In total, there are 13 universities listed in Table 6.

Table 6: List of 13 major universities in Tunisia

UNIVERSITY

Virtual University

Ezzitouna University

Manouba University

Tunis University

Tunis El Manar University

University of 7-November at Carthage

Jendouba University

Sousse University

Sfax University

Gabes University

Kairouan University

Monastir University

Gafsa University

Source: MRSTDC website

3.2.1.5 Agricultural Research Institutes

Agricultural research is well established in Tunisia and its origins go back to the beginning of the century. Initially limited to the cereal sector, it progressively diversified after the Second World War, and especially after independence. Over the last 30 years, agricultural research institutions have benefited from generous financial resources that have enabled them to create new laboratories, to reinforce priority activities, to diversify its objectives taking development imperatives into account. Appreciable results in numerous fields such as cereals, arboriculture, vegetable cultivation, irrigation, sheep breeding and range development have been achieved. New research establishments have been created in the regions, and specialized regional centres have been set up by existing institutes to bring together research activities in production and agriculture zones. Despite these efforts, agricultural research continues to come up against serious difficulties, such as the lack of researchers and their over mobility, the non-existence of a planning, programming and evaluation system and the lack of coordination at a national level. In Tunisia, research is divided up amongst numerous institutes (table 7), organizations and services that come under the Ministry of Agriculture. Other establishments that come under the Ministry of Higher, Education and Scientific Research also undertake research projects that are directly linked to agriculture.

The major agricultural research institutions are listed in Table 7.

13

Table 7: Major agricultural research institutions

CATEGORY SUPERVISING AGENCY NAME OF INSTITUTE RESEARCH FOCUS

Government Institution de la Recherché et de l’Enseignement Supérieur Agricoles (IRESA)

Institut National de la Recherché Agronomique de Tunisie (INRAT)

Crops, livestock

Institut National pour la Recherché en Génie Rural, Eaux et Forêt (INRGREF)

Natural resources

Institut de l’Olivier de Sfax (IO Sfax) Olives

Institut de Recherché Vétérinaire de Tunisie (IRVT)

Livestock

Ministère de la Recherché Scientifique, de la Technologie et du Développement des Compétences (MRSTDC)

Institut National des Sciences et Technologies de la Mer (INSTM)

Fisheries

Institut des Régions Arides (IRA) Soil

Centre de Biotechnologie de Sfax (CBS) Agri Biotech

Ministère de la Santé Publique (MSP)

Institut National de Nutrition et de la Technologie Alimentaire (INNTA)

Crops

Higher education Institution de la Recherché et de l’Enseignement Supérieur Agricoles (IRESA)

Institut National Agronomique de Tunis (INAT)

École Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire (ENMV)

École Supérieure d’Horticulture et d’Élevage de Chott-Mariem (ESHE)

École Supérieure d’Agriculture de Mograne (ESAMo)

École Supérieure d’Agriculture de Mateur (ESAMa)

École Supérieure des Ingénieurs et de l’Équipement Rural de Medjez El-Bab (ESIERM)

École Supérieure d’Agriculture du Kef (ESAK)

École Supérieure des Industries Alimentaires de Tunis (ESIAT),

Institut Sylvo-Pastoral de Tarbaka (ISPT).

Source: ASTI Country Briefs, March 2004

14

Linked to S&T in this area are the efforts of AFVA (the Agency for communication and training) which disseminate the results among those who conduct popularization campaigns by the farmers, and APIA (the Agency for promotion of innovation in agriculture) which creates business start-up centres in the agriculture and fisheries sectors.

3.2.1.6 Medical and Health Research Institutes

Tunisia with its strong research infrastructure has made advances in medical research in areas such as genetic counselling, cytogenetics, and diagnosis of genetic diseases, along with regulation and legislation. The main institutions involved in medical and health research are the Pasteur Institute, The National Institute for Nutrition and Food Technology and Radiation Protection Centre. Clinical research is important to the medical Universities.

The most well known institute, The Pasteur Institute founded in 1893 and forms part of the international Pasteur Institutes of France. It conducts medical research in Tunis and covers the following areas:

Parasitology: leishmaniasis and theileris

Poliomyelitis

Toxins and venoms soft scorpions

Tuberculosis, molecular epidemiology:

Hepatitis viruses, pathology and virology

Research in the medical and health fields takes place essentially at university hospitals

3.3 Human capital for S&T

3.3.1 Masters and doctoral enrolments

The post graduate schools, 16 in 2003-2004, play a central role in the development of competences according to national economic needs' for a better development. The structures of research belonging to the national system of scientific research and technology, take part in the training of the young researchers in various specialities.

Table 8: Masters and Doctoral Enrolment

PhD students in the laboratories and research units

Second year students in Masters degree in laboratories and units

laboratories and units budget (in DT)

Average budget by student

(in DT)

2003 2281 2134 15975800 3614

2004 3527 2961 21708000 3346

Total 5808 5095 37683800 3456

Source: MRSTDC website

15

3.3.2 Scientific Research Workforce

Human resources in the scientific research sector represent 23000 researchers in 2004 that devoted their time partly or entirely to the research tasks. What corresponds to 12950 researchers while being full time equivalent (FTE) distributed in the following way.

Table 9: Scientific workforce between 2003 and 2004

Researchers Number (physical person) Researchers Number (FTE)

2003 2004 % growth 2003 2004 % growth

Full time researchers 635 672 6 635 672 6

Part time researchers 11671 13216 13 4006 4539 13

Students 7744 8957 16 6624 7739 17

Total 20050 22845 14 11265 12950 15

Source: MRSTDC

Full time researchers are generally in the Institutes and Centres

Part time researchers are teachers(researchers (academics)

The students are calculated separately

Since that time staff has been growing approximately at the same pace (M’Henni for ESTIME). Official figures (though in contest) are as follows:

R&D Personnel Researchers

FTE Headcount FTE Headcount

16289 27943 14650v 25445v

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics 2005

v= Overestimated or based on overestimated data / Surestimé ou fondé sur des données surestimées

16

Figure 4: Distribution of the researchers by category (FTE) in 2004

Source: MRSTDC

Thus, the number of researchers per 1000 active members of the population rose from 3.26 in 2003 to 4.28 in 2005, thereby recording an increase of one researcher per 1000 active people. In comparison, note that the number of researchers per 1000 active population is 1.1 in Turkey, 1.23 in Chile, 3 in Italy, 3.7 in Portugal and 7.1 in France (source: OCDE, the latest years available).

3.3.3 Human and institutional capacity development strategies

Offering good working conditions to the researchers is one of the principal objectives of the Ministry. Within this framework, it was decided to create adequate spaces, to provide the necessary equipment, and to recruit the personnel of support to make it possible to the researchers to effectively devote themselves to their research tasks. The rate of equipment of the researchers by the computers knew a good evolution especially in the structures of research where the objective is to have a computer by researcher. The number of contractual assistants among the postgraduate students who are quite advanced in their theses also recorded a significant increase. The contracts can relate to either full-time or part-time teaching or researching full-time either in a laboratory or an upcoming unit or a higher education institution or a research institute

These resources are restricted to the researchers organized within research units or laboratories (subject to assessment).

3.4 Research and development funding

3.4.1 Gross expenditure on R&D

The scientific research and technology sector has experienced a continuous increase as to the means allocated to it. Those come primarily from the budget of the State (92 % between 1992 and 2000), but also of the companies which finance certain activities of research and technological innovation (5 %), and of the resources resulting from the bilateral international co-operation and multilateral (3%). The contribution of the private sector is very weak in comparison to the developed countries (in general higher than 60%). Thus, the financial resources devoted to the research sector recorded a

Distribution of Researchers

5

60

35

010203040506070

Full timeResearchers Students

Part-timeReseachers

Category

Percenatage

Series1 Series2 Series3

17

considerable growth during the period 2001-2004 passing from 153 MD to 350 MD (32 % of average annual growth).

The share of research expenditures in the GDP increased passing from 0.53% in 2001 to 1% in 2004. This percentage is close to those of the countries of the South of Europe such as Italy (1.05 %), Spain (0.96 %) and Portugal (0.83 %) in 2001. Within the framework of the diversification of the sources of financing and especially those coming from the economic sector and the international co-operation, it was envisaged to increase the private participation so that it reaches 31 % in 2009.

Table 10a: Evolution of GERD/GDP (2000-2009)

Year GERD/GDP % Public Expenditure % International Cooperation and Business Sector

2000 0.45 91 9

2001 0.53 88 12

2002 0.63 86 14

2003 0.73 83 17

2004 1 78 22

2005 1.02 75 25

2006* 1.07* 73* 27*

2007* 1.13* 72* 28*

2008* 1.19* 70* 29*

2009* 1.25* 69* 31*

Source: Compiled from MRSTDC (* estimates)

Table 10b: GERD funding

GERD as % of GDP

GERD by source of funds %

Business Enterprise

Government Higher Education

Private Non-profit

Abroad Not distributed

1.03%w 14.1%w 45.1%w 30.5%w 10.4%w

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics, 2005

w= National estimation

18

Figure 5: Research intensity of Tunisia

Research Intensity

0

0.5

1

1.5

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Year

GER

D/G

DP

%

GERD/GDP %

Source: MRSTDC (provisional)

The following diagram shows the distribution of the horizontal budget of scientific research by government departments.

Figure 6: Distribution of Research Funds by government Departments

Sources MHE & MSRTDC: Ministry For The Higher Education And Ministry For The Scientific Research, The Technology And The Development Of Competences.

MAEHR: Ministry for Agriculture, the Environment and Hydraulic Resources

MPH: Ministry for the Public Health

3.5 Research outputs

3.5.1 Publications

Over the period 1994-2004, the number of scientific publications from Tunisia is estimated to be 5 273 between 1994 and 2004 according to the ISI database. In world terms, this output is small and it masks the strong science base that exists in this country. The chart in Figure 7a shows that the number of publications has been increasing steadily during this period except for the decline in 2003. This performance indicates an overall improvement of the research infrastructure.

19

Figure 7 a: Number of scientific publications per year.

Number of Publications per Year

24

181 173

310439

521 566671

748

470

836

0100200300400500600700800900

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

Year

Num

ber

of P

ublia

tions

Series1

Source: ISI Thompson Web of Science

Most interesting is the fact that the trend of growth has been going on steadily up to now (2009), promoting Tunisia to the rank of the 3rd producer of indexed science in Africa (ahead of Morocco and just behind Egypt). As the next Figure shows, it makes a significant contribution to the growth of publications of Maghreb, whose dynamism is the most important among Arab countries as well as in Africa since 2 decades.

Figure 7 b: Number of scientific publications per year (Maghreb countries: 1987-2008)

Growth of production: Maghreb countries, 1987-2008

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010

Years

Nb

refe

renc

es (S

CI)

TunisiaAlgeriaMorocco

Source: Waast & Rossi (2009)

20

Figure 7c: Growth of publications: 1987-2000

Source SCI non expanded. Waast & Rossi (2009)

The largest sources of scientific publications in Tunisia are the academic institutions. Within the university sector, three universities - University of Tunis, Sfax University and Monastir University contributed most of the total university publications indicating a dominance of these institutions as centres of science. The University of Tunis is the largest contributor as shown (see Figure 8) followed by Sfax University and Monastir Universities.

Figure 8: Publication activity of Tunisian Universities (1994-2004)

Number of publications

1913

929810

24683 72 17 16 14 12 0 0 0

0200400600800

1000120014001600180020002200

TunisUniversity

SfaxUniversity

MonastirUniversity

SousseUniversity

Tunis ElManar

University

GabesUniversity

Universityof 7-

Novemberat

Carthage

KairouanUniversity

ManoubaUniversity

GafsaUniversity

EzzitounaUniversity

JendoubaUniversity

VirtualUniversity

Universities

Number of publications

Source: ISI database

21

Among the major research institutes, the Pasteur Institute is the main producer. Its affiliation to the Pasteur’s network originating from France is clearly beneficial.

Table 11: Publications output of research institutes (1994-2004)

Agriculture:

The National Agronomic Research Institute 3

The Centre for Rural Engineering Research 20

The Arid Areas Institute 7

The National Oceanography and Fishery Institute 1

The Veterinary Research Institute 0

The Olive Institute 1

The National Aquaculture Centre 1

TOTAL 33

Health

The Pasteur Institute 234

The National Institute for Nutrition and Food Technology 0

Radiation Protection Centre 0

TOTAL 234

Other 775

Source: ISI Thompson Web of Science

3.5.1.1 International collaboration 1994-2004

Analysis of the publications data 1994-2004 shows that Tunisian institutions collaborate mainly with France (1 862 co authored articles). The USA (160) is a distant in terms of collaborations followed by Italy (82). Further analysis of the collaborations shows that most are with countries that are in the European region followed by the North American region. The analysis also revealed that there is limited collaboration with Sub-Saharan Countries compared to Arab and North African countries. Only six collaborations were recorded with South African institutions.

22

Table 12: International Co-operation in Research 2

EUROPEAN COUNTRIES ARAB AND NORTH AFRICA

Country Number of collaborations Country Number of collaborations

France 1862 Morocco 57

Spain 48 Algeria 26

Portugal 10 Jordan 7

Italy 82 Egypt 13

Greece 6 Syria 5

Turkey 13 OTHER AFRICAN COUNTRIES

Germany 70 Country Number of collaborations

Norway 5 South Africa 6

England 62 Senegal 14

Belgium 71

AMERICAN NATIONS ASIAN COUNTRIES

Country Number of collaborations Country Number of collaborations

USA 160 Japan 34

Canada 66 India 13

Source: OST (2007)

3.5.2 Patents

The number of patents registered with the USPTO between 2000 and 2004 was only two that is negligible. Tunisia is a member of WIPO.

2 Country analysis not exhaustive

23

Table 13: Patents granted to Tunisia between 2000 and 2004

Class Title 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Total

Utility 0 0 0 1 0 1

0 1 0 1 0 1

ALL CLASSES 0 1 0 10 2

Source: USPTO

3.5.3 Recent technological development and emerging technologies

3.5.3.1 Federative Research Programs (FRP)

Federative Research programs have been initiated in order to address development issues putting together all concerned stakeholders (research teams, universities, industries and public institutions). These programs are financed through multi-annual agreements, which define projects’ structures, objectives and expected results, human and material resources to be mobilized as well as follow-up and evaluation procedures.

Table 14: Federative research programs in progress

Programs Components

Renewable Energy

2003-2006

Projects: 5 projects are in progress for the period 2003-2006:

- Solar water heating,

- Development of innovative processes for solar cooling,

- Individual air conditioning using natural gas,

- Analysis of recent technologies of Aeolian energy for local production,

- Development of an Aeolian energy production model.

Human resources: 22 research groups from public and private institutions.

Renewable energies

2005-2008

Projects: 2 projects are in progress for the period 2005-2008:

- Hydrogen energy,

- Development of a new generation of batteries.

Human resources: 8 research teams from public and private institutions.

24

Table 14 Continued

Programs Components

Water

2004-2007

Projects: 4 projects are in progress for the period 2004-2007:

- enhancing water treatment systems,

- implementation of small scale water treatment stations using innovative methods,

- criteria of selection and results measurement for rural purification stations,

- use of solar energy for water desalination.

Remote sensing for forests assessment

2004-2007

Projects: the program aims to establish a forest inventory in 21 governorates within the period 2004-2007.

Biotechnology

2005-2008

Projects: the project aims to find solutions to the phenomenon of broken leaves of palm trees.

Health (Disabilities)

2006-2009

Projects: 2 projects are in progress during the period of (2006-2009):

- differential diagnosis of learning troubles

improvement of cares to multi-handicapped persons.

Source: MSRTCD

3.6 Innovation strategies

3.6.1 National Program of Research and Innovation (NPRI)

The purpose of the National Program of Research and Innovation is to respond to the needs of Tunisian industry by developing their technological innovation and improving their competitiveness through applied research. Projects are carried out in collaboration between research structures, industrial enterprises and technical centres.

Specifically, the program aims at:

Supporting private sector efforts in matter of research, innovation and creativity;

Reinforcing technology transfer through the valorisation of research results.

Targeted sectors are:

Packaging;

Wood and furniture industry;

Mechanics and electricity;

Construction materials.

25

In 2004, 9 projects have been selected involving 15 research teams, 14 companies and 5 technical centres.

The funded projects run for 2 years with the participation of the private sector.

Table 15: Projects in progress under the NPRI

Sector Project leader Number of projects

Number of companies

Number of research teams

Funding from MSRTCD

Wood and furnishing industry

Wood and Furnishing Industry Technical Centre

3 4 4 254.000 TND

Leather and shoes

Leather and Shoes National Centre

1 1 1 250.000 TND

Construction materials

Ceramic, Glass and Construction Materials Technical Centre

3 3 5 231.000 TND

Packaging Packaging Technical Centre

1 4 2 134

Textile Textile and Clothing Technical Centre

1 2 2 85

Total 9 14 15 954

Source: MSRTCD

3.6.2 Incentives to Scientific Research and Technological Development

3.6.2.1 Premium of Investment for Research & Development (PIRD)

Created in 1994, PIRD supports original studies necessary to the development of new products or processes, the implementation of prototypes and their technical experiments or the carrying out of ground experimentations. The premium helps also companies to acquire scientific equipments necessary to their R&D projects.

PIRD grants up to 50% of the project costs with a maximum of 25 000 TND for studies and up to 100 000 TND for the implementation of prototypes and their technical experiments or for carrying out ground experimentations and acquisition of scientific materials.

During the period of 1995 – 2005, premiums were granted to 43 projects submitted by 40 companies. Total investment reached 2 459 140 TND.

26

3.6.3 Valorisation of Research Results (VRR)

Since 1992, the Government established VRR, as a financial instrument to encourage Research Results Valorisation. The Ministry ensures funding for the projects aiming at reinforcing partnership between research structures and socio-economic actors such as Technical Centres, private Companies and professional groups through the setting up of innovative products or processes. Up to 2005, 61 projects benefited of more than 6 Million TND funding.

3.6.4 Other innovation incentives

Several other mechanisms are implemented to support innovation. Most noteworthy are the Incentive scheme for innovation in Information Technologies, the Priority technological investments, the Fund for the development of industrial competitiveness, the industrial modernizing programme (in cooperation with EU), the Mediterranean project for innovation and development (MED-PRIDE, with EU), the business start-up centres and the facilitation of Venture Capital. These schemes are mostly orientated towards firms, but they may include the funding of some R&D efforts.

3.7 Concluding remarks

Compared to most Arab and African countries, the S&T system in Tunisia is very advanced with very strong support from government. The implementation of a voluntarist policy is evident from the growth of GERD and the mushrooming of technoparks thought-out the country. Tunisia has embraced innovation as a key driver to economic growth and prosperity and has invested in this area considerable amount of funds.

The national strategy in the field of scientific research and technological development expresses the ambitions of Tunisia to be part of developed countries. The achievements reflect a strategic vision in which the objective is the setting up of a national research system of an international level that contributes to the socio-economic development of the country and to build knowledge based economy.

Against this background, the MSRTCD is striving towards reaching the performance indicators of developed countries and reinforcing the financial support to the sector. Furthermore, it is to enable the contribution of scientific research and technological innovation to improve the competitiveness of Tunisian companies.

27

4. References

Benabdallah, S. Foresight Scope 2015. [Available at: http://les.man.ac.uk/prest/SCOPE/documents/National_Report_Tunisia_DRAFT.pdf]

ESTIME 2007. Report on Scientific Research in Tunisia. Drawing from a monograph by M. M’Henni. [Available at: www.estime.ird.fr]

ESTIME 2007. Report on Scientific Research in Tunisia. Drawing from a monograph by M. M’Henni. [Available at: www.estime.ird.fr]

Kayamandi, M. No date. Science and Policy in Tunisia. [Available at: http://ec.europa.eu/research/iscp/newsletter/2002-08]

Lasram, M. 1999. Report on the national system of agricultural research in Tunisia. [Available at: www.ciheam.org/util/search/series]

OST (Laville F. & Thèves J.). 2OO7. Country Leaflet: Tunisia. Prepared for the ESTIME project. [Available at: www.estime.ird.fr]

Rossi, P.L. 2007. Rapport bibliométrique: Tunisie. Prepared for the ESTIME project. [Available at: www.estime.ird.fr]

Stads, J. G., Allani, S. &Mounir, H. M. 2006. Agricultural Science and Technology Indicators, Asti Country Brief No. 29, January 2006.

Waast, R. & Rossi, P.L. 2009. Scientific production in Arab countries. IRD (submitted to Science, Technology & Society), 20 p.

Useful websites

ASTI http://www.asti.cgiar.org/

ISI database http://www.isiwebofknowledge.com/

OECD African Outlook Report http://www.oecd.org/dev/publications/africanoutlook

UNDP http://www.undp.org

USPTO http://www.uspto.gov

WEF http://www.weforum.org

Ministry of Scientific Research, Technology and Competency Development www.mrstdc.gov.tn

Technoparks

Technopark of Sousse www.technopole-sousse.rnrt.tn

Technopark of Borj Cedria www.ecopark.rnrt.tn

Technopark of Sidi Thabet www.technopole-sidi-thabet.rnrt.tn

Technopark of Sfax www.technopole-sfax.rnrt.tn

Technopark of El Ghazala www.elgazalacom.nat.tn

28

Research centres under supervision of the Ministry

National Centre for Scientific and Technical Documentations www.cnudst.rnrt.tn

Research Centre for Economic and Social Studies www.ceres.rnrt.tn

National Centre for Nuclear Sciences and Technologies www.cnstn.rnrt.tn

Biotechnology Centre of Sfax www.cbs.rnrt.tn

National Institute of Marine Sciences and Technologies www.instm.rnrt.tn

National Research Centres of Borj Cedria www.inrst.rnrt.tn

National Research Institute for Physico-chemical Analyses www.inrap.rnrt.tn

Arid Regions Institute www.ira.rnrt.tn