NOSSTIA The Network of Syrian Scientists Technologists and

NOSSTIA The Network of Syrian Scientists, Technologists and Innovators Abroad

Vision NOSSTIA aims to become the hub of a reliable network of Syrian experts in various scientific domains, in order to enable technical experience transfer to Syria, and facilitate scientific cooperation.

Mission NOSSTIA will offer Syrian expatriates the means and support to initiate and implement cooperation initiatives and work on projects and services that could be of great benefit to Syria.

Strategic Goals • Modern Technical knowledge transfer • Advanced training for national Syrian scientists and technologists. • Bypass the Syrian brain drain

Work Mechanism I- Identify involved entities • Syrian Gov. Side – SYR Plan. Comm. (SPC), Dept. of Expatriates Affairs, Dept. of Tech. Transfer • UNDP Side – TOKTEN, UNOPS • Expatriates Side – Individuals, Scientific committees, others. . • EU Side – Syrian European Business Center

Involved Entities UNDP UNOPS -TOKTEN Individual members Funds & Logst. Assist. EU SEBC Info Xchg. Dept. of Tech. Transfer Arrange cooperation Dept. Of Expats. Affairs NOSSTIA Science committees Tech. consultants Manage memberships and connections abroad Info Xchg. About Projects & People Funds Other org. State Funds SPC

Work Mechanism II- Build NOSSTIA ’s Info Base Gathering and sorting information about Syrian technologists and scientists abroad; sources are like: • Dept. of expatriates’ affairs • Connections with scientific committees and academic institutions • Personal connections • Internet-based random search using certain criteria (passive method)

Work Mechanism III- Manage Relationship with Expatriates Continuous communication to help maintain high level of interest. Activities are like : • Requesting info about workshops, conferences and training sessions • Informing them about similar events taking place in Syria. • Exchanging ideas and suggestions.

Work Mechanism IV- Manage Relationship with SYR government Interfacing with the designated government entities to : • Get info about the need for experts for future projects’ plans • Pool info about expatriates • Identify governmental sources of funds

Work Mechanism V- Manage Relationship with the UNDP/EU Communicate with the designated UNDP/EU offices and programs for similar reasons: • Get info about the need for experts, and the future projects’ plans • Pool info about expatriates in TOKTEN / EU, and consolidate information with NOSSTIA ’s • Identify sources of funds

Work Mechanism VI- Manage the Expatriates’ membership [Individual , Institutional (Academic Groups & Committees)] The following activities & more: • Build the members’ database • Building a list of membership rules • Explaining membership advantages and benefits (tangible, non-tangible), and improving them periodically • Collecting Annual Fees • … Other logistics…

Risk Expectations Members-related Ne ed Mo Insufficient membership re Membership defection Pla nn ing (Need better marketing campaign and PR activities) Gov-Related Lack of cooperation and information flow (Need more Gov support, and better clarification of mission) Funds-related Lack of possible funding sources (Gov & UN) (Seek alternate sources like sponsors from private sectors)

Logistics Issues Personnel, Location, Ne ed Mo re Pla nn ing Services (i. e. phone lines, Internet access, …etc. ), Office equipment, …. …

Thanks For Your Attention Any Additional Ideas, Comments, Thoughts ?