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The Innovation Hub rapidly moving ahead
| A science park is an organisation managed by specialised professionals to increase the wealth of the community by promoting the culture of innovation and the competitiveness of its associated business and knowledge-based institutions. |
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Progress at The Innovation Hub, a Blue IQ project that will enhance innovative capacity and economic development in Gauteng and in the Tshwane metropolitan area, is moving ahead at a rapid pace. Construction of the first phase of this internationally benchmarked Science Park is expected to commence in July this year.
In terms of the record of decision by the Development Facilitation Act Tribunal - which now stands after a concern raised by a resident in the area was amicably resolved - 30 ha of the 60 ha site is earmarked for development. The other 30 ha of natural land will be developed and maintained in accordance to an environmental management plan to provide a unique quality of working life to tenants at the Hub.
Hub CEO Dr Neville Comins says that the main objective of a Science Park is the advancement of innovative and competitive capacity. "This is accomplished by stimulating and managing the flow of knowledge and technology among universities, research and development (R&D) institutions, companies and markets, on the one hand, and by facilitating the creation and growth of innovation-based companies through incubation and spin-off processes on the other," he added. He is convinced that with its partners and the optimal location the Hub is geared to deliver on the mandate of a science park.
The Innovation Hub is a joint venture between Gauteng's Blue IQ initiative, the multi-billion rand investment of the province to stimulate economic growth in the province, and SERA, (the Southern Education Research Alliance - an inclusive strategic alliance between the CSIR and the UP). It is being established to support the creation, nurturing, growth and globalisation of new technological research and businesses, and has been operating in pilot mode since its launch two years ago.
The first phase of development includes construction of the infrastructure, core office space and an Innovation Centre, as well as a bridge over the N1 to connect The Innovation Hub to Meiring Naude Road. It also includes a multi-tenant building and an Innovation Centre, which will provide a home for the incubation and pre-incubation activities and the CoachLab skills mentorship project.
Negotiations with tenants are progressing well. Potential tenants include international high-tech companies starting South African development operations, and local large, medium and small high-tech companies. Occupancy of the site is anticipated for the third quarter of 2004.
"The Innovation Hub will place the country on a new road of accelerated knowledge creation and its commercialisation, and spearhead the country's advance into the hub of global technology and world markets," according to Dr Comins.
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