TAM Report / Tunisia - HE and research

GENERAL INFORMATION

TAM title: Higher Education and Scientific Research: Technology Transfer for a More Impactful Socio-Economic Contribution

Type of Event: Seminar and Training 

Modality: Presential

Location: Tunis

Country: Tunisia

Dates: 21 - 22 January 2025

Participants: The TAM gathered 190 participants on Day 1 and 90 on Day 2, including representatives from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MESRS), researchers and academics, intellectual property professionals and industry representatives.

THEMES COVERED

• Fundamentals and forms of technology transfer
• TT performance indicators and international models
• Economic impact of technology transfer
• Case studies of TT structures in Tunisia and Germany
• Governance challenges and institutional fragmentation
• Conditions for effective TT and innovation ecosystems
• Incentives for R&D investment and private-sector involvement
• Start-up and spin-off support structures
• Intellectual property management and valorisation mechanisms

KEY OUTCOMES

During the workshop, participants:

• Identified weaknesses in TT governance and coordination between institutions
• Gained knowledge of international TT models and their applicability in Tunisia
• Engaged in collaborative workshops to analyse barriers and propose solutions
• Highlighted the importance of fiscal and organisational incentives for TT
• Discussed gaps in training, particularly in valorisation, patenting, and negotiation

• Emphasised the need for a coherent national TT strategy aligned with global practices

   

OVERVIEW

The Technical Assistance Mission (TAM) focused on the role of technology transfer in strengthening Tunisia’s socio-economic development and innovation ecosystem. The two-day event combined seminars, expert presentations, panel discussions, and practical workshops.

The first day focused on conceptual and strategic discussions, including presentations on international technology transfer models, the economic impact of technology transfer, and existing institutional frameworks in Tunisia. Discussions highlighted the importance of effective collaboration between academia, research centres and industry.

The second day was dedicated to interactive workshops and working groups, where participants analysed the conditions necessary for effective technology transfer and formulated recommendations to improve the national ecosystem. The sessions encouraged dialogue between policymakers, academics, and industry representatives, helping identify priority actions for strengthening innovation governance and research commercialization in Tunisia.

THE FOLLOW UP ACTIVITY

Title of the activity: Report–Publication: “Higher Education and Scientific Research in Tunisia: Levers of Technology Transfer for a More Impactful Socio-Economic Contribution”

Dates: June 2025

Audience: Representatives of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, universities and research centres, Technology Transfer Offices (BuTTs), national innovation agencies, technoparks and incubators, private sector organisations and innovative SMEs, as well as Horizon Europe stakeholders and HERE experts.

Description: The follow-up activity consisted of the preparation and dissemination of a report-publication presenting the main outcomes of the Technology Transfer TAM (21–22 January 2025, Tunis). The publication synthesises the discussions, best practices and recommendations identified during the TAM and provides guidance to policymakers and institutional stakeholders on strengthening the national technology transfer ecosystem.

The report includes:

• Context and objectives of the TAM
• Situation analysis of technology transfer in Tunisia
• International technology transfer indicators and good practices
• Examples of international models and experiences
• Policy recommendations and perspectives for Tunisia
• Annexes containing panel discussions, focus group themes, and event documentation

The publication was shared with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Tunisian universities, and key stakeholders in the innovation ecosystem, ensuring that the TAM results reach decision-makers and practitioners involved in research and innovation.

ENHANCING IMPACT: PROPOSED NEXT STEPS

• Develop a national integrated strategy for technology transfer, aligned with international best practices.
• Strengthen TT governance by improving coordination between ministries, universities, research centres, and industry.
• Establish joint research labs and co-financed R&D programmes to deepen university–industry collaboration.
• Build institutional capacity with complementary training on patent management, valorisation, and negotiation with companies.
• Enhance support structures for start-ups and university spin-offs, including incubators and licensing mechanisms.
• Create a follow-up network between HEREs and experts to support implementation of recommendations.
• Increase private-sector participation and establish stable dialogue platforms for TT development.
• Simplify and modernise regulatory frameworks for intellectual property and research valorisation.

RESOURCES AND BACKGROUND MATERIAL

• OECD. (2013). Commercialising Public Research: New Trends and Strategies. Paris: OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264193321-en
• European Commission. (2022). Proposal for a Council Recommendation on the guiding principles for knowledge valorisation (COM(2022) 391 final). Brussels: European Commission. Available at: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM%3A2022%3A391%3AFIN