India and Tunisia will launch joint research programmes in the field of biotechnology, medical sciences and other allied sectors of the science and technology with a view to find out and promote areas of joint research beneficial to the people in both the countries.

The research will be held under the Programme of Cooperation in the fields of Science and Technology for the years 2012-14. The Department of Science and Technology (DST),  Ministry of Science and Technology and the Tunisian Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research, (MHESR) will partner for the programme.

The proposals have been invited from Indian and Tunisian universities, research centres and institutes to submit joint proposals for scientific and technological research and development projects. The key areas identified included biotechnology, material sciences, medical sciences and science popularisation. The duration of the projects should be of two years which could be extended by one year, on the basis of progress assessment, after mutual agreement of both Coordinating Ministries.

Both the partnering departments also have worked out the mode of supports like visits by the project researchers from the two countries. The jointly approved projects are likely to be started in September 2012.

Tunisia has been looking for opportunities to strengthen the ties with India in the field of science and technology. The third meeting of the Joint Commission Meeting will be held soon in Delhi to take forward ongoing collaborations. Both the countries also have joint working groups in many areas including drugs and pharmaceuticals.