80 Years Republic of Turkey - Report on Science and Technology

News / EU

8/Nov/2003 - 8:43

WORKSHOP - Science and Technology
30.10.2003, 10.30 - 12.00
by SC i.R. Dr. Raoul Kneucker

Abstract from the keynote speech delivered by Prof. Dr. Kemal Namik Pak
Over the past two decades, there have been substantial developments in the Turkish S&T policies, along with those in the economy.

Turkish economy rose to the upper echelons of (intermediate) technology producing counties, after a long period of manufacturing under license. The Custom Union Agreement with the European Community in 1996, helped to further improve the competitive environment which is a prerequisite for an innovative economy.

The Policy shift in 1990’s has been from building a sound scientific infrastructure, to acquiring capabilities in science and technology, not only to achieve excellence in scientific and technological research, but also in converting scientific and technological findings into economical and/or social benefits. Hence, the new S&T Policy of Turkey aims at the establishment of a well-functioning National System of Innovation.

As a reaction to the changing nature of innovation, the hierarchical transfer of tasks between actors on the S&T stage has left its place to a new, horizontal cooperation between such sub-systems as the universities, public sector research facilities and industry.

In the last 10 years, there have been new components added to the NIS. The participation in the EU’s Sixth RTD Framework Program is expected to provide new challenges thus new impetus to the Turkish NIS in the marking to evolve into a fully operational system.