Kantaoui Forum KF, is an international multilateral and pluridisciplinary seminar for a global partnership in society, science and technology. KF is based on Partnership In Knowledge – PIK - that was catalyst to building a dynamic wide web of research and academic cooperation between Tunisian and Japanese institutions in a large spectrum of areas.
KF is not simply a continuation of a series of international seminars and workshops but an evolving process that provides an essential platform for promoting exchanges in science, technology, research, implementation, and policy development. It gets its roots back to 1997, when a few Tunisian researchers formed a committee for the promotion of academic and scientific cooperation between Tunisia and Japan. Since then, Tunisian and Japanese research and academic institutions have jointly organized more than 50 bilateral seminars and workshops. This academic and scientific collaboration led to increased opportunities for Tunisian students and researchers to access Japanese universities within the framework of degree granting, short-term exchange programs and short and mid-term research internships. A concrete result of these efforts and exchange programs is the registration of various patents in biotechnology in joint intellectual property between the University of Tsukuba and Japan and Borjcedria Science and Technology Park. These modest yet concrete results led to a genuine and spontaneous internationalization of the symposium.
The last edition, KF ’07 witnessed the participation of over 300 Tunisian and 100 Japanese researchers, experts and professionals. In addition, participants also came from more than 10 other countries, mainly from Africa and Europe. Participants offered contributions on a wide range of topics, sharing information and recent advances in science and technology, initiating cultural dialogue and exchanges, and seeking business opportunities. Next editions of KF will hopefully attract more participants from other countries in Africa, Asia, and Europe and also from North and Latin America.
By deciding to internationalize the symposium, and in particular by broadening participation of African researchers, experts and professionals, KF attempts to contribute to Africa's appropriation of its sustainable development process through science, technology and knowledge sharing and exchanges, in accordance with the continents’ priorities.
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