About the Center
North Africa Applied Systems Analysis Centre
North Africa Applied Systems Analysis Centre (NAASAC) is a capacity building/applied policy research centre that aims to build Egypt’s capacity in systems thinking and systems analysis applications, create a culture of evidence-based decision-making from the highest levels of government to ordinary citizens, and to share this culture through partnerships with ministries, government agencies, NGOs, regional and international partners. NAASAC also aims to support other research centres to convert their existing relevant studies and research into sound policy advice to the government in the form of policy papers and other documents targeting decision-makers.
NAASAC was established in 2021 as a cooperation between Academy of Scientific Research and Technology (ASRT), International Institute for the Application of Systems Analysis (IIASA) in Austria, and Institute of National Planning to be a national and regional hub for evidence-based decision-making in collaboration with IIASA benefiting from the models, tools and general experience of IIASA to meet our national and regional challenges, in a manner that is consistent with local needs. The centre is housed in the Institute of National Planning.
NAASAC’s main objective:
NAASAC’s main objective: to build Egypt’s capacity in systems thinking and systems analysis applications, create a culture of evidence-based decision-making from the highest levels of government to ordinary citizens, and share this culture regionally through partnerships with ministries, government agencies, NGOs, and international partners.
The centre was officially launched on December 20, 2021. The centre was inaugurated by Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research at the time, Dr. Mahmoud Sakr, President of ASRT at the time, Dr. Alaa Zahran, President of INP at the time, Dr. Alaa Zahran Former President of the Institute of National Planning Dr. Dr. Fabian Wagner, Dean of Capacity Development and Academic Training at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis in Austria, . Mr. Ian Stewart, Head of the Communications and External Relations Department at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis in Austria at the time, Dr. Dr. Amani El Rayes, former Vice President of INP and Director of NAASAC, and a group of professors from universities, research institutes, and various ministries.
Phase I of NAASAC (2021-2023) focused on designing and offering a unique diploma in Applied System Analysis for evidence-based decision-making. The diploma was offered to mid-level government employees with a few select researchers in research centers and universities in Egypt and Arab countries (Sudan and Palestine). The diploma was offered twice with a very high level of interest and great success. As well as NAASAC works in spreading a systems thinking approach through many awareness and training courses for different ages (from school children to graduate students).
Vision:
To build a strong culture of system thinking and evidence-based decision-making from the top government officials to regular citizens in Egypt and to share this culture regionally.
Mission:
A center of excellence to build capacity in North Africa in systems thinking and systems analytics applications, create a culture of evidence-based decision-making from the highest levels of government to ordinary citizens and share this culture regionally.
In phase 2 (2024-2027), we hope to build on the experience achieved in phase 1 and on the community of system thinkers we developed to expand the range of activities of NAASAC. The main goals of Phase II are:
- Turning ASRT road maps into policy recommendations/options: by building on the road maps and targeted studies to produce formal policy options for decision-makers to address the decision-maker’s challenges, in the language and style they need, expect, and understand.
- Encouraging a culture of policy brief writing amongst researchers: by running several seminars entitled: “Can Research Inform Policy?” in research centres to improve the chances of research work being applied in policymaking.
- Collaborating with IIASA on national projects: submit project proposals to international funding organizations to fund application of the models of IIASA to specific projects in Egypt and African/Arab countries including training of locals to be able to use the models independently in the future
- Expanding capacity in evidence-based policy making in Egypt: We plan to completely review and update the contents of the diploma based on the experience gained from the previous two rounds to ensure better connectivity between the different components of the courses and a stronger emphasis on the write-up of the policy briefs and communicating it to the decision-makers. The diploma will be offered once a year for the duration of the funding
- Building policy professionals community: Continue to build on IIASA Connect to be the home for Egypt’s Applied systems analysis/evidence-based decision-making community bringing together government policy professionals and researchers in the field through ongoing activities and a series of invited speakers to enhance their skills in developing and communicating policy.
- Establishing Egypt’s leadership in Africa: Establish Egypt’s position as a leader in the evidence-based policy development field in Africa through offering modified/condensed versions of the program to non-Arabic speaking African countries.
- System thinking for the public: Offering workshops on “Shaping your Future: Strategies for Success” to young people and specific targeted communities.
- 1. Improving Egyptian Participation in Young Scientist Summer Program (YSSP) in IIASA and other summer programs:
After communicating with IIASA to understand the requirements and the process for YSSP selection, we will offer info sessions early in September to promote the opportunity and we will spread the word through ASRT’s different contact points with research institutes and Universities. We will then support potential applicants in preparing the applications and communicating with IIASA