RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY Research in Tunisia is organized into management, coordination and execution structures. MANAGEMENT AND COORDINATION STRUCTURES: An important step in the organization and structuring of research in Tunisia was accomplished in 1991 with the creation for the first time of the Secretariat of State for Scientific Research and Technology. The Secretariat of State plays a central role in the management of the national science and technology programs. It collaborates with other ministries in the formulation of national science and technology policies and plans. The mission of the ministry is to promote the development of research and technology. It is also responsible for the coordination and evaluation of national research activities. THE HIGHER COUNCIL FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY The task of the Higher Council for Scientific Research and Technology is to suggest policy options for research and technology. The Council is headed by the Prime Minister with the membership of relevant ministries. A technical committee, attached to the Council, is headed by the Secretariat of State for Scientific Research and Technology. It insures the follow-up of the council decisions. THE MINISTRY OF HIGHER EDUCATION, SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY The Ministry of higher education, scientific research and technology, plays an important role in the national research and technology activities. It coordinates university research through its General Director for Scientific Research and Technology. THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE The Ministry of Agriculture, environment and water resources coordinates agricultural research and higher education through the Institute for Agricultural Research and Agricultural Higher Education (IRESA). IRESA insures both financial and administrative management for its research centers. OTHER MINISTRIES Other ministries have recently created research institutions each in its field of interest. Research in the medical and health fields takes place essentially at university hospitals. See complete list of ministries (in French) EXECUTION STRUCTURES Research programs have recently created research institutions and university labs. RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS The National research network is composed of twenty five institutions: Private institution: The Center for Ottoman and Moorish Studies for Documentation and Information, with two associated institutions, the Center of Maghrebi Studies of Tunis, and the Center for the Contemporary Maghreb. Information and Documentation: The National Academic Center for Scientific and Technical Documentation. Science and Technology: The Regional Institute for Informatics and Telecommunication The National Institute for Scientific and Technical Research The Biotechnology Center of Sfax The National Center for Nuclear Sciences and Technologies The National Center for Remote Sensing Humanities and Social Sciences: The Higher Institute of the History of National Movement The Center for Islamic Studies The Center for Research, Studies and Publications Economic and Social Research Center The Center of Legal Studies National Heritage Institute Center for Youth and Sports Studies and Research Center for Women Studies Agriculture: The National Agronomic Research Institute The Center for Rural Engineering Research The Arid Areas Institute The National Oceanography and Fishery Institute The Veterinary Research Institute The Olive Institute The National Aquaculture Center Health: The Pasteur Institute The National Institute for Nutrition and Food Technology Radiation Protection Center Cyberparks/Technological parks There are currently 8 cyberparks in Tunisia, each specializing in different sectors, according to the dominant activity of the area. -The El Ghazala cyberpark specializes in telecommunications. -The Borj Cedria cyberpark specializes in renewable energy and the environment. -The Sidi Thabet cyberpark specializes in biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries - The Sousse cyberpark focuses on computer and multimedia activities. -The Monastir cyberpark is devoted to textiles and clothing. -The Bizerta cyberpark supports agrofood industries. -The Gammarth cyberpark specializes in film production ( will soon be operational). Over the last decade, Tunisia has striven to develop a forward looking strategy to meet the challenge of integral development, to give concrete form to a knowledge-based economy and to master new information and communication technologies. These efforts have been acknowledged worldwide. Tunisia is nowadays ranked among the most dynamic users of new technologies along with China, Brazil, and South Africa. (UNDP 2001 Human Development Report). In the 2005 World Economic Forum Report in Davos, Tunisia was ranked 31" out of 104 countries considered as the most advanced in the ICT sector. In 2006, Tunisia was ranked as the first African and Arab country by the Davos World Economic Forum Report, in terms of global competitiveness of its economy. HIGHER EDUCATION Tunisian higher education counts 85 institutions with 208 research laboratories in various scientific and technical fields: National Institute for Scientific and Technical Research Borj-Cedria B.P. 95 Hammam-Lif - 2050 Tunis Tel: (216-1) 430-215 Regional Institute for Informatics and Telecommunications 2 Rue Ibn Nadim Montplaisir - Tunis Tel: (216-1) 800-122 Center of Biotechnology of Sfax B.P. "W"3038 Sfax Tel: (216-4) 275-373 National Center for Nuclear Sciences and Technologies Immeuble Maghrebia Boulevard du 7 Novembre 1060 Tunis Tel: (216-1) 707-772 National Center for Remote Sensing B.P. 200 1080 Tunis Tel: (216-1) 761-210 Website: http://www.cnt.nat.tn HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES Institute of the History of National Movement 17 rue de Tolede El Manar 1 2092 Tunis Tel: (216-1) 881-607 Center for Islamic Studies 209 Avenue Beit El Hikma 3100 Kairouan Tel: (216-7) 224-844 Center for Research Studies and Publications Campus Universitaire Boulevard du 7 Novembre 1060 Tunis Tel: (216-1) 518-914 Economic and Social Research Center 23 Rue d'Espagne 1000 Tunis Tel: (216-1) 343-237 Center of Legal Studies Impasse Virgile Boulevard Bab Bnat 1006 Tunis Tel: (216-1) 568-802 National Patrimony Institute 4 Place du Chateau 1008 Tunis Tel: (216-1) 286-296 Center for Youth and Sports Studies and Research 7 Rue Tahar Haddad Montfleury - Tunis Tel: (216-1) 247-038 Center for Women Studies Avenue du Roi Abdelaziz Al Saoud Rue 7131, El Manar II 2092 Tunis Tel: (216-1) 885-322 Fax: (216-1) 887-436 The National Agronomic Research Institute 2049 Ariana - Tunis Tel: (216-1) 230-024 The Center for Rural Engineering Research B.P. 10 2080 Ariana - Tunis Tel: (216-1) 717-811 The Arid Areas Institute El Fej Medenine - Tunisie Tel: (216-5) 640-687 The National Oceanography and Fishery Institute 28 Rue 2 Mars 1934 2025 Salammbo - Tunis Tel: (216-1) 730-548 The Veterinary Research Institute Rue Djebel Lakhdar La Rabta 1006 - Tunis Tel: (216-1) 562-602 The Olive Institute Route de l'aeroport Km 1,5 3029 Sfax Tel: (216-4) 241-240 Institute of Forestry Research B.P. No. 2 2080 Ariana - Tunis Tel: (216-1) 230-039 HEALTH The Pasteur Institute Rue Ernest Conseil 1002 Tunis Belevedere Tel: (216-1) 789-608 HIGHER EDUCATION,UNIVERSITIES AND INSTITUTIONS: - Ezzitouna University -Tunis University -Tunis El Manar University -University, November 7 at Carthage -La Manouba University -Jendouba University -Sousse - -University -Monastir University -Kairouan University -Sfax University - Gafsa University -Gabes University -The Virtual University Higher Institutes of technological studies (24) Higher Institutes of Teacher Training (6) In July 2006 there were178 Higher education institutions in the country. The number of research laboratories and units amounts to 592. The number of Higher education teachers amounts to 16,919, 40% of whom are women. The number of private Higher Education institutions amounts to 20. For further information, visit the Higher education website.