Science Parks groundswell and the establishment of the IASP Africa Division

	Dr Neville Comins, CEO of The Innovation Hub, discusses Science Park concepts with Dr Edson Selaolo from the Botswana Ministry of Science and Technology. The group of delegates who attended the Seminar. According to the IASP, a Science Park is an organisation managed by specialised professionals, whose main aim is to increase the wealth of its community by promoting the culture of innovation and the competitiveness of its associated businesses and knowledge-based institutions. To enable these goals to be met, a Science Park stimulates and manages the flow of knowledge and technology amongst universities, R&D institutions, companies and markets; it facilitates the creation and growth of innovation-based companies through incubation and spin-off processes; and provides other value-added services together with high quality space and facilities.

The important role of Science Parks in local economic development was again highlighted at the recent COFISA-The Innovation Hub- seminar, held at The Innovation Hub Conference Venue in Pretoria.

Representatives from Botswana, Ghana, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Swaziland, and the provinces of Limpopo and North West, joined experts from Finland and members of The Innovation Hub to share information on regional innovation systems and Science Parks as a catalyst for local economic development.

In this regard, Africa's positive growth requires sustainability for it to redress considerable infrastructure legacies. Accelerating this growth and removing binding constraints is a critical task and significant challenge. Contributing to this agenda will be the establishment of an IASP (International Association of Science Parks) Africa Division during its 25th World Conference in September 2008. The event will be hosted by The Innovation Hub and held in Gauteng, bringing it to the African continent for the first time. The IASP currently represents over 333 science and technology parks with 110 000 companies, in 71 countries.

Delegates explored key topics such as the dynamics of systems of innovation and the status of South Africa's National System of Innovation, as well as the role of incubation, clusters and virtual networks. Issues such as governance and infrastructure, innovation indicators and measures, intellectual property, success factors, and provincial and country initiatives, also formed part of the deliberations. The event was jointly organised by COFISA [Co-operation Framework on Innovation Systems between Finland and South Africa] and The Innovation Hub,

The development of Science Parks and related clusters is advancing in the provinces of North West and Limpopo. Cirricula at the University of the North West, for instance, now includes the study of entrepreneurship regardless of the students' line of study and has enhanced the culture of entrepreneurship at the University. The site for the North West Science Park, which will focus on technology transfer, is close to its Entrepreneurial Support Park, where training will be one of the focus areas.

According to Dr Rudi van der Walt, Director of Innovation at the University of the North West, technology clusters in the province will create the environment for graduate students and academics to further their careers. Given the large rural population in the province, rural women are being taught to use their creative skills and develop products through the supply chain. Some of these products are already being exported.

In Limpopo, the Office of the Premier is supporting the Living Lab concept through the Premier's Advisory Council on information and communications technology. The rollout of the business planning process is nearing completion and has included collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology, the CSIR, and Finland. Reuben Rammbuda from Trade & Investment, Limpopo, acknowledged the importance of incubation and the need to use existing strengths in the province to positively influence its current low research and development base.

Botswana's Innovation Hub [BIH] which will be located near Gaberone is expected to be the meeting place for innovative research and industry to drive the country's knowledge economy. The BIH will vest in a public private partnership with the Botswana government as a lead investor, and details are being developed for the site to be classified as a 'free zone'. The anchor focus of the BIH is ICT, mining, biotechnology, energy, and tradable services such as call centres and data back-up services. Other initiatives in Botswana include the creation of a science and technology university, the training of researchers to PhD level, post-graduate facilities, and advanced training facilities.

In Ghana, business planning for Ghana's first Science Park has been completed and mobilising the funding is at an advanced stage. A key component of this government initiative is the counterpart private sector CyberCity initiative. The CyberCity partners are the US-UK Ghana Cybergroup which consists of Ghana residents in those countries, a US ICT company, and the Ghana CSIR. The initial focus of this Science Park will be indigenous knowledge and resources.

While these initiatives are not specifically all called science and technology parks, the intention is the same. Namibia has recognised the national need for a similar initiative to contribute to its growth targets and the Technopolis of Finland completed a related study for Namibia in 2006. The development of their business innovation centre will be driven by its university. Namibia became a member of the IASP in 2006 to further its networking and the sharing of learning and knowledge.

Senegal implemented a policy in 2006 whereby the United Nations will assist the country in reviewing its science and technology infrastructure as a forerunner to establishing a Science Park. The creation of this African Centre for Applied Research will focus on supporting the needs of the population.

Building a culture of technology and entrepreneurship appears to be one of the challenges facing many countries. Nigeria's government is embracing this agenda and a strong drive is underway to address the 'disconnect' between tertiary institutions and other contributing bodies. It is envisaged that subsequent initiatives will help to change the low R&D and GDP ratio.

The Swaziland's Chamber of Commerce Science Park initiative was partly influenced by South Africa's DBSA [Development Bank of Southern Africa]. The University of Swaziland, a partner in the business innovation centre, is planning to set up an innovation centre for indigenous plants and medicines. The initiative is aligned with the Swaziland Government's integrated framework for policy-making and capacity building.

The establishment of the IASP's Africa Division Africa Decision in September 2008 will provide the ideal platform for learning and sharing knowledge within Africa, and with its global IASP co-members.

Information on the XXV IASP World Conference 2008 from above contacts and available at www.iaspsa2008.com.