Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Indicators Training Workshop (Cairo; September 28-30, 2009)

National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS), LebanonMs. Rabab Majzoub & Ms. Rula Atweh

Central Administration for Statistics (CAS), LebanonDr. Alissar Nasser & Dr. Ziad Abdallah

The National Council for Scientific Research CNRS

The CNRS is an autonomous public institution created in 1962 under the direct authority of the Prime Minister.

The CNRS is in charge of elaborating the national science and technology policy in Lebanon. The Government asks for its expertise in all subjects pertaining to science and technology.

There are four specialized centers in the CNRS that carry out researches and programs having a socio-economic impact on the development of the country.

OVERVIEW Board of Administration: where decision making authority of

the CNRS is vested. General Secretariat: prepares and implements annual

programmes submitted to and approved by the board of administration.

The office of the Secretary General operates though five major divisions and its research centers:

1. National Center for Geophysics2. National Center for Marine

Sciences3. National Center for Remote

Sensing4. Lebanese Atomic Energy

Comission – CLEA

Centers Programmes

1. Grant Research Programme (GRP)2. Associate Research Units (ARU)3. Scholarships4. Publications5. Science, Technology and Innovation

Policy (STIP)6. LORDI

GRPCNRS Accepted Projects by Discipline

2003-2008

1. Guiding National Science policy and Public Research

2. Conducting and Granting Research Projects

3. Allocating External and Internal Scholarship Programs

4. Establishing Science, Technology and Innovation Policy

5. Establishing National, Regional, and International Bilateral Cooperation Programs

6. Issuing Scientific Publications

7. Conduct specialized research through its centers (4)

CNRS General Mandate

CNRS policy to sustain Science Technology and Innovation (STI)

Meant to formulate a comprehensive plan to involveScience, Technology and Innovation Policy (STIP) in the National Socio-Economic Development through:

Setting the Objectives: Concepts Adopted in STIP implementation

Meeting the Challenges and Needs of the Lebanese Market

Initiating the Plan Implementing, Monitoring and Evaluation

In preparing the STIP, these scientists and experts undertook elaborate Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threats Analysis (SWOT) of most relevant societal needs, to formulate priority scientific research programmes that were incorporated in the STIP plan of actions.

The Plan is an outcome of a joint effort of some 30 Lebanese professional scientists and international experts - who worked together for three years in three task forces, namely Basic Sciences, Industry and Engineering, Environment and Agriculture, and Health and Medical Sciences

Recommendation of the STIP:

Establishing the core of the Lebanese STI Observatory

Two pieces of analysis are needed:

An analysis of research activities and research outputs in Lebanon in the last 5 years

Identify what human resources and infrastructure facilities exist in Lebanon

A Project Document has been developed by the CNRS, through an ESCWA technical assistance with International Experts.

Lebanese Observatory for Research, Development and Innovation: LORDI

Main Challenge

Private Institutions

Public Institutions

CNRS

Reliable Statistics and Indicators

Objective:

To set-up the LORDI to be in charge of producing reliable statistics on resources (inputs) and production (outputs) in science and technology; maintaining an inventory of the main R&D resources and skills in both the academic and business sectors; and conducting analysis of the R&D system in Lebanon as requested by concerned institutions.

Outcomes:The national S&T potential of

Lebanon assessed and the ability to meet the challenges of the socio-economic development determined

Government ability to monitor and evaluate the implementation of its science and technology policy through enhanced R&D input and output indicators

Statistical base for an R&D strategy for Lebanese Institutions and businesses

Outputs:List of Indicators (inputs and

outputs) developed and validated

Database of scientific indicators and measurement developed and functioning

The skills of core personnel enhanced in data collection and analysis

Website, periodic reports and relevant analytical studies published and disseminated

Production of S&T indicators in Lebanon Macro scale (country) for regional or international comparisonsMicro scale (by institution, discipline, or sectoral)  Input Indicators (Frascati) The expenditure of R & D which must be consolidated by origin of financing (public-private, national, international), by sector (academic, private public, companies), and by fields/disciplines;Personnel of R & D (by sector and by fields/disciplines); Output Indicators (Bibliometrics)Scientific production (by institutions and discipline)Visibility of the scientific production (index of impact)Technological production: national and international patents  Other indicators (Innovation Surveys)Indicators of economic impact of R&D: creation of companies, modernization, transfers of research, financing by private sector.Innovation Indicators (OsloManual)Cooperation indicators: national, regional and international co-operation, through co-publications and co-financing)

Management Plan: A Project Team will be set up and entrusted with the overall supervision and implementation of the project.

Staffing / Unit of Management of the LORDI: The Director (Named by the Board of Directors of the CNRS for a period of Two Years – renewable)Administrator 1 or 2 persons in Charge of Mission (with expertise in one of the following: evaluation of public policy, economy of innovation, statistician / indicator specialistData Processing Specialist (responsible for the development and maintenance of the database, and statistical analysis)Others (ex. a creation of a network of university professors working under the Director) 

Stakeholders Identified: (Steering Committee)CNRS Representatives (Secretary General, Administration and others)Representatives of principal ministries and authorities concerned in R&D (Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Economy and Trade, Central Statistical Administration, Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Environment, etc...)Representative of principal academic institutions, public and private (ex. Lebanese University, American University of Beirut, Université Saint Joseph, Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute, Industrial Research Institute, Lebanese American University, Beirut Arab University, Balamand University, University Saint Esprit de Kaslik and others)Representatives from the industrial sector (Association of Lebanese Industrialists, Order of Engineers)

The role of the LORDI will be at several levels:

Up streaming the collection of data Direct responsibility for the collection of certain data (for example concerning the industries); Development and maintenance of the data bases on a national scale; Assembly of the data and development of the indicators.

(The role/function of the LORDI will need to be further defined and elaborated as part of the next steps)

Parallel initiatives:

ESTIME: Evaluation of Science and Technological Capabilities in Mediterranean Countries

MIRA: Mediterranean Innovation and Research Coordination Action

Mandate of the central Administration of Statistics- Lebanon To assume itself or in cooperation with the involved administrations to set

forth all statistics related to the economical and social life of the country. To unify the data bases related to institutions or individuals used in the

administrations to extract the statistical data from it, and to supervise technically the statistics that the administrations lay down and to centralize and coordinate it.

To set up the internal economical accountings (the national accounts), the balance of payments, and the other annual statement regarding the economical and social activities of the country.

To carry out the statistics, investigations, and studies requested by the Council of Development and Reconstruction, and the other economical studies requested by the other administrations.

To carry out mandatory statistical surveying , should be considered as mandatory any statistical survey carried out by the central administrations of statistics directly, or through another institution, and published in the official journal.

Analysis and publication of the statistics that are laid down. To contribute, with the Civil Service Council, to the preparation and

training of the employees working with statistical units related to the administrations.

Role of CAS in STI projectsThere is real need to improve service

statistics on STIs in order to expand the coverage and improve reliability.

CAS helps in the development of indicators to benchmark innovation performance.

It is essential to involve CAS in the analysis and conceptual phases of STI projects.

R& D Registered companies in Lebanon

Thank YouRabab Majzoub, Grant Research

Programme / ARU& Rula Atweh, Coordinator - MIRA

Project

National Council for Scientific Research, CNRS

P.O.Box 11-8281, Ryad El Solh 1107 2260Beirut, Lebanon

Tel:+961 1 840 260 (Ext. 312)Fax: +961 1 822 639

Emails: rabab@cnrs.edu.lb; rula.atweh@cnrs.edu.lb

Dr. Alissar Nasser, AnalystDr. Ziad Abdallah, Statistician

Central Administration of StatisticsArmy Street, Kantari

Finance and Commerce Building, 5th FloorBeirut, Lebanon

Emails: alissar.nasser@gmail.comzi_abd@yahoo.com