MEDITERRANEAN INNOVATION AND RESEARCH ACTION.

The MIRA Project

FINAL CONFERENCE. 23-25 January 2013. Marrakech. Morocco

WP2 – Observatory of UFM Countries Cooperation in S&T

Objectives, difficulties and achievements, prospect for future actions.

Leader: IRD, France (P3)Co-Leader: CNRS, Lebanon (P19)

Targeted objectivesObjectives:

The Observatory of S&T will be geared towards understanding the state of research and technological cooperation between the EU and the MPC.

o Establishment of standard indicatorso Analysis of scientific production of cooperationo Analysis of the dynamics of research systems

Achievements of the Work PackageWorkshops

Scientific Cooperation Indicators and Impact Measures (Bondy; March 16-17, 2009)Observatory Workshop: Indicators of Science and Cooperation (Beirut; June 13-14, 2011)Research and Innovation Activities in the Mediterranean Region : Cooperation Indicators (Tunis, November 28-29-November 2011)

Achievements of the Work PackageList of indicators and follow-up of Cairo Conference

Proposed in 2009Discussed in various opportunities – recommandations made in MIRA General Assembly January 2011. Included in White Paper

White Paper Proposed in July 2009, finalized in Nov 2010 following recommendations

Achievements of the Work PackageElectronic survey on co-operation

Realized in November 21, 2010 to March 6, 2011. First Report June 2011General report September 2012Article December 2012 – included in Final MIRA book

Bibliometric indicators for each MPC country

Realized in October 2009 (not renewed)

Achievements of the Work PackageAnalysis of FP7 participations

Presented in 4th Management Board, Casablanca

Coordination with similar initiativesILN Meeting. Madrid October 2009Support to IMIST on bibliometricsSupport to LORDI in Lebanon (Frascati survey, innovation survey)Support to Innovation EMIS WP (report on policies for the EIB)

Difficulties encountered

Manpower training No local “indicators” units No follow-up of indicatorsNo clear objective for the use of indicators in policy making Insufficient dissemination

More generally, lack of professionalization in the handling of indicators and not enough contacts with academics in MPCs and Europe on these topics.

Prospects for future actions

Further work with MED-SPRING: sustainability and role of “observatories”; input to policy analysisImpact measurement following guidelines of the White PaperAnalysis of innovation surveys (Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Palestinian Authority, Lebanon) and innovation policiesCoordination on analyzing types of cooperation