A conference discussing the current challenges facing Tunisia marked the launch of the Steinbeis Transfer & Innovation Hub Tunisia.
Sharing experiences and creating and leveraging synergies between the actors in order to promote technology transfer in Tunisia – these were the twin objectives of a technology transfer conference held in Tunis in January that was attended by over 200 participants. The high-level event was organized by the national Erasmus+ office of Tunisia, the Higher Education Reform Experts (HERE) team, the Tunisian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and the Delegation of the European Union (DUE) to Tunisia, in conjunction with the National Agency for the Advancement of Scientific Research (ANPR). The conference brought together the key players from higher education, research institutions and technology transfer organizations. The event’s moderator, Fatma M’Selmi Baklouti, is the manager of Steinbeis Transfer & Innovation Hub Tunisia, which was established at the start of this year.
Despite significant investment in higher education and scientific research, Tunisia is still struggling to fully unlock its innovation potential. Ranked 81st out of 133 countries in the Global Innovation Index 2024, it faces a number of chronic barriers. These include limited synergies between universities and industry, insufficient private R&D finance, and an inadequate strategy for exploiting research outputs. The first day of the conference was devoted to strategic presentations and analyses, while practical recommendations were formulated during the workshops held on day two. Two German Steinbeis experts, Frank Graage and Ralf Lauterwasser, played an important part in the conference, sharing their expertise about international best practices and strategies tailored to the Tunisian context. In their presentations, they gave a detailed analysis of the structural barriers and described successful technology transfer models.
The challenges of technology transfer
The opening panel highlighted the main impacts of technology transfer on economic and social development and stressed the need for better integration of research findings in industry. A comparative analysis of international models revealed the key success factors and identified strategies that could be adapted to the Tunisian context. A panel discussion presented a comprehensive overview of the Tunisian technology transfer landscape, highlighting both the strengths and the limitations of existing mechanisms. The discussions spotlighted the current challenges, which include inadequate coordination between the actors, regulatory barriers, and a weak open innovation culture. The participants stressed the urgent need to structure cooperation between universities and industry and create effective incentives to promote private investment in research and development.
The closing panel focused on international case studies that provided best practice insights in the fields of governance and financing. The German model, where technology transfer is structured around industry clusters and innovation centers, illustrated the crucial role of incentive schemes and cooperation platforms for researchers and industry. In a discussion of the strategies employed in the US, the panelists highlighted the importance of intellectual property protection and the critical role of incubators and accelerators in bringing research-based innovations to market.
A structured roadmap for effective measures
In the words of Steinbeis Entrepreneur Fatma M’Selmi Baklouti, “The conference made an important contribution to identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the Tunisian technology transfer model and potential reforms tailored to the specific local circumstances”.
One of the event’s key conclusions was the need to establish a structured monitoring and evaluation framework. A national steering committee coupled with a mechanism to enable regular dialog between the technology transfer actors would ensure the continuity and effectiveness of the proposed initiatives.
The conference reasserted the vital role played by technology transfer in strengthening the competitiveness of Tunisian enterprises and promoting economic growth.
According to Frank Graage and Ralf Lauterwasser, “If the conference’s recommendations are implemented, Tunisia could become a regional innovation center where scientific research is a genuine catalyst of economic transformation and industrial growth”. Following its establishment in January, the Steinbeis Transfer & Innovation Hub Tunisia will support implementation of the roadmap as a franchise partner, contributing the Steinbeis Network’s expertise to concrete projects in Tunisia.
Contact
Fatma M’Selmi Baklouti (author)
Steinbeis Entrepreneur
Steinbeis Transfer & Innovation Hub Tunisia (Soliman/Tunesien)
231462-15