Title:
Progress
Towards the Implementation of the National Innovation System in Tunisia
Abstract: In the beginning of
the nineties, Tunisia, as many other developing countries, recognized
the need to develop specific policies for science and technology. New
institutional and governmental structures were created with a mission
to encourage and support scientific and technological research and
development. About 20 years after the starting of these policies a
comprehensive framework to support innovation has now been established,
sub-systems have been strengthened, bridging structures are evolving,
specific programmes to harness science with economic purposes have been
launched and a new culture of entrepreneurship and innovation is
gradually emerging in the society. Notwithstanding the
accomplishments so far, the science system and the system of enterprise
development are evolving more or less independently, there is
yet, no general awareness of a “system” as such and thinking
about the link between research and innovation is implicitly dominated
by the “linear” model of technology transfer. In this communication we
will discuss the key issues that should be addressed in order to
achieve a better integration of the NI elements.
Author: Refaat
Chaabouni