The first detailed science and technology (S&T) policy document was prepared in 1983 with the contribution of over 300 experts under the coordination of Ministry of State. This document, entitled "Turkish Science Policy: 1983-2003", explicitly recognized the role of technology for development, and suggested priority areas of technology. Although these technology areas were broadly defined, this document could be regarded as the first attempt towards defining "critical technologies" in Turkey. This document led to the creation of a new institution in 1983, the Supreme Council for Science and Technology (BTYK).
The policy document at the highest level is the Development Plan. Science and technology remains as an individual chapter in the Development Plan. It is prepared for once every five years and determines the framework for policies, priorities and targets for that planning period. Development Plan is prepared under the coordination of DPT and endorsed by the Grand Assembly of Turkey. The Specialized Committees formed on each sector, including science & technology, is formed by representatives by public institutions, private firms, private umbrella institutions, NGO's, ensures the participatory process at the highest level.
Policy development process in science and research in Turkey can be summarized as a cycle which consists firstly the development of the framework for science & research policies with the Development Plans and iteration of these policies with the Mid-term Programs and Annual Programs. These are supported by implementation policy proposals (action plans and detailed cooperation programs for the execution process) formulated by the institutions under the coordination and guidance of Supreme Council of Science and Technology (BTYK). Then, these policies are executed by the individual institutions with the financial sources allocated with the Annual Budget Law and private sector incentives. Finally the cycle repeats with the feedback provided to the Mid-term Programs by i) the evaluation of the implementation results, ii)monitoring of the new developments in science & research area, iii) inputs from the modifications of the Strategic Plans of the individual institutions and iv) new policy proposals prepared at BTYK each year.
Up to date, nine development plans (the first eight was for five years, the last one is for seven years in order to harmonize with the European Union's planning period) have been prepared. A long-term socio-economic strategy comprising the years 2001 and 2023 has also been developed in simultaneously with the Eight Five Yearly Development Plan in 2001.
The other important policy document is the decisions of BTYK. These decisions take force as Circular of Prime Ministry, so they are binding over the public institutions, but at the same time the Development Plan, Mid-term Program and Mid-term Fiscal Plan are also binding over the decisions of the BTYK. The decisions of BTYK have a central advisory role in the preparation of the Development Plans and Mid-term Programs. Also, BTYK decisions are important for effective execution and coordination of the science & research policy.
BTYK, chaired by the Prime Minister, is the highest level policy coordination body for science & research in Turkey. The remaining participants are the several ministers, Head of TÜBÝTAK, Undersecretary of DPT, Undersecretary of Treasury, Undersecretary of Foreign Trade, Head of Turkish Atomic Energy Institute (TAEK), Higher Education Council representative, General Director of Turkish Radio and Television (TRT) and Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB).
BTYK, established in 1983 had its first operational meeting in 1989. In the mid-1990s, the Supreme Council started to play an active role in formulating the national S&T policy as the central component of the National Innovation System. In its second meeting in 1993, SCST approved the document entitled "Turkish Science and Technology Policy: 1993-2003". The Government's first industrial technology and innovation strategy was articulated in the policy document, "Turkish Science and Technology Policy: 1993-2003" that formed an integral part of 7th Five-Year Development Plan covering the period of 1996-2000.
BTYK is also responsible for executing the science & research policy. It provides the necessary coordination medium upon application regarding the development plans and programs, assisting government for the determination of long-term science & research policies, establishment of sectoral targets, provide feedback and advise new policies for the following plans and programs, assigning tasks for the public institutions, development of the researchers, founding research centers and identifying research areas. BTYK decisions take force as a Circular of BTYK.
BTYK took the decision, in its sixth meeting on December 2000, that new national S&T policies should be formulated, and priority areas should be set for the next two decades, in order to create an innovative economy and society in 2023, which marks the 100th Anniversary of the foundation of the Turkish Republic. TÜBÝTAK, as the general secretariat of the SCST, coordinated the project entitled "Vision 2023: Science and Technology Strategies" which involves the first-ever national foresight exercise of Turkey. Vision 2023 project was composed of the following sub-projects: Technology Foresight Project, National Technology Competence Inventory Project, Researcher Information System Project and National Research Infrastructure Information System Project.
The outcome of Vision 2023 project, covering the science and technology policies for the next 20 years of Turkey was accepted in SCST meeting in year 2005 as the S&T Strategy Document.
Two significant targets for year 2010 have been established for the national S&T strategies:
To increase GERD as a percentage of GDP to 2%, by half of it from industry To raise the number of full-time equivalent scientists up to 40,000
Consequently, an additional budget of US$ 650 million (446 million YTL for year 2005 and 415 million YTL for year 2006) is allocated for national S&T activities as the first step in the implementation process of this Strategy.
Moreover, the following priority areas were determined in line with the outcomes of the Vision 2023 technology foresight study:
Information Technologies Biotechnology and Gene Technologies Materials Nanotechnology Design Technologies Mechatronics Production Methods and Machinery Energy and Environmental Technologies.
For further information, refer to www.tubitak.gov.tr; www.dpt.gov.tr; http://www.abgs.gov.tr/tarama/tarama_files/25/25AT_Annotated.htm sites.
