The next production revolution (NPR) is occurring because of a confluence of digital technologies (e.g. 3D printing, the Internet of Things, advanced robotics), new materials (e.g. bio- or nano-based), and new processes (e.g. data-driven production, artificial intelligence). Africa is expected to be “the world’s next great manufacturing centre”, potentially capturing part of the 100 million labor-intensive manufacturing jobs that will leave China by 2030, provided it embarks decisively on a path of industrialization and circumvent the challenges the “New Industrial Revolution” is generating. Tunisia is one of the African countries that has understood early enough that the digital transformation and the next industrial revolution offers exciting opportunities for the country to make its great leap into the future. Tunisia shows an articulate innovation ecosystem that is promising for introducing the NPR in the country. However, benefiting from the NPR requires overcoming a myriad of obstacles. Major reforms and efforts are needed at the level of infrastructure, education, training and scientific research to provide Tunisian industrialists with the human skills capable of appropriating the technologies accompanying this Revolution. In addition, the low connections between universities and industries come out to weak innovation linkages that may stop further innovation in the country, especially in the field of NPR where the relevance of applied research and technology transfer is high. To this end, NePRev aims to develop a closer connection between universities and industries and reinforce the role of Tunisian universities to promote the transition toward the NPR and adapting to the evolving needs of the labour market in Tunisia. A key major outcome of NePRev is to set up a joint research master degree in Next Production Revolution, focusing on the training and education of researchers and experts prepared to help the Tunisian industry to embrace this revolution.
The project “Setting up a multidisciplinary joint master degree dedicated to the Next Production Revolution – NEPREV” (609702-EPP-1-2019-1-IT-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP) had, as the overall objective, the development of a knowledge framework in order to support Tunisia in its transformation towards modern and sustainable industrial manufacturing in line with international trends. The specific objectives were to develop a Master in the Next Production Revolution and new laboratories focused on Industry 4.0.
Global industrial production is undergoing a deep transformation under the confluence of a new wave of technological innovation, including digital technologies (e.g. 3D printing, the Internet of Things, advanced robotics), new materials (e.g. bio- or nano-based), and new processes (e.g. data-driven production, artificial intelligence), that has been named as the Next Production Revolution (NPR) by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
<< Background >> Global industrial production is undergoing a deep transformation under the confluence of a new wave of technological innovation, including digital technologies (e.g. 3D printing, the Internet of Things, advanced robotics), new materials (e.g. bio- or nano-based), and new processes (e.g. data-driven production, artificial intelligence), that has been named as the Next Production Revolution (NPR) by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). << Objectives >> The project “Setting up a multidisciplinary joint master degree dedicated to the Next Production Revolution – NEPREV” (609702-EPP-1-2019-1-IT-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP) had, as the overall objective, the development of a knowledge framework in order to support Tunisia in its transformation towards modern and sustainable industrial manufacturing in line with international trends. The specific objectives were to develop a Master in the Next Production Revolution and new laboratories focused on Industry 4.0. << Implementation >> The project involved the National Engineering School of Tunis (ENIT), the Institut Supérieur de Gestion Industrielle de Sfax (ISGIS), the University of Jendouba (FSJEGJ) and the National Engineering School of Gafsa (ENIGA), . European partners were Politecnico di Torino and Politecnico di Milano, Centrale Supelec and Obreal. During the preparation and development phase, stakeholder were involved to first contribute to needs analysis and later to curriculum development engagements. << Results >> A research master in the Next Production Revolution has been designed and introduced at National Engineerin; updated and new courses in the field of modern manufacturing, sustainable production, industrial innovation and entrepreneurship have been designed and started in the other three Tunisian universities. All universities have been equipped with modern laboratories including equipment for designing, programming and testing robots, additive manufacturing stations and smart production systems.