In May and June 2022, the 11 Libyan Higher Education Institutions partners of the IBTIKAR project, together with their European counterparts, got back together to work on the analysis of the Libyan research environment and in the definition of their priorities for the upcoming capacity building action. The project IBTIKAR, promotIng research and innovaTIon environment in the libyAn higher Education System involves 11 Libyan Higher Education Institutions willing to develop skills and capacity in research and innovation, and network with peer researchers internationally. The overall scope is to be empowered and trained to better respond to local and global challenges, through the production of high-quality research and by connecting among each other and with European universities. As a final result, IBTIKAR intends to maximize synergies, exchanges, and connection with the local economy, and to propose a reform for the National Research System.

In the early stages of the project, the University of Tripoli conducted an analysis  of the research environment in Libya and at each Libyan institution. After the delivery of a survey, and the consultation of secondary sources, Partners are now implementing two additional key activities: study visits at Libyan universities, and the collection of inspiring practices.

The study visits are meant to validate and complement the information collected and allow for a deeper analysis of each university research environment, through a visit to the universities’ research centers, a discussion with the staff on the university research strategy and on the management of R&I at institutional level. Moreover, visits aim to collection data on research mobility and joint research initiatives, as well as on strategic partnerships through the analysis of the agreements of the university for research purposes at national and regional levels. At the end of the visits, the University of Tripoli will be in the conditions to highlight points of strengths and shortcomings, and identify needs at each institution.

In parallel with the visits, all Partners are invited to contribute to and disseminate the form for the collection of inspiring practices. The form serves the purpose of gathering a number of good practices from both Europe and NorthAfrica, focused on research management, research methodology, research implementation, with a special but not exclusive attention to Environmental studies. These practices will support the definition on behalf of each Libyan Partner of a Research Agenda, setting the priorities for the future.