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| Volume 6 Number 07 August 2007 |
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IASP World Conference Flag handed to The Innovation Hub for 2008
The 24th IASP World Conference - titled 'Creative Jobs and Creative Companies, Key Factors for Growth and Competitiveness' - brought the true essence of a Science Park and the success elements under the spotlight. South Africa was represented by members of the Steering & Local Stakeholders Committees of the 25th IASP World Conference which is being hosted by The Innovation Hub from 14 to 17 September 2008. Planning is well under way for the 2008 Conference which promises to be well attended given the interest shown in Barcelona. The 1st Announcement & Call for Papers can be found on the website www.iaspsa2008.com. The IASP defines a Science Park as an organization 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 must stimulate and manage 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. Joining Dr Comins in representing South Africa in Barcelona were Prof Calie Pistorius Rector & Principal of the University of Pretoria, Lauri Kuukasjarvi of COFISA - the Co-operation Framework on Innovation Systems between Finland and South Africa, Eddy Khosa CEO of the Johannesburg Tourism Company, and Carol o'Brien of I Brand the Oversight Project Managers for the 25th IASP World Conference. Prior to the handover of the IASP World Conference flag to South Africa for 2008, Korea was awarded the hosting of the 2010 World Conference. The 2009 IASP World Conference will be hosted by the Research Triangle Park in North Carolina, USA. "Barcelona is widely known to be a city that knows how to attract knowledge workers and a big supporter of the knowledge economy", says Comins. This year the IASP World Conference again stressed the importance of developing a strong knowledge economy component. Within that trend, it was evident that the role of Science Parks has developed considerably as a critical ingredient of cities and city regions' competitiveness in this new economy. According to Dr Comins this role has even more potential for impact within developing countries. Science Parks can make a meaningful contribution to the provision of environments that are conducive to rapid development and reducing the gap between developing and developed countries in the direction of the knowledge economy. This is the focus of 25th IASP World Conference in 2008 during which the IASP will establish its African division at its General Assembly. Until recently The Innovation Hub was Africa's first internationally accredited Science Park. Africa now boasts three - one in Morocco, another Tunisia, and The Innovation Hub in South Africa. There is a groundswell of Science and Technology Parks development initiatives in other regions of Africa as was evident at a seminar in June 2007 when 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 in sharing information and knowledge about related initiatives. The Innovation Hub is in the privileged position to be able to share lessons learned and experiences with emerging Science Parks in other parts of the continent. "There have been a number of feasibility studies done in parts of North, South and East Africa around the Science Park concept. Many of those conducting these studies have also paid visits to The Innovation Hub to experience a local Science Park and find out more about what works and what doesn't", says Dr Comins. The importance of developers and residents of Science Parks as well as the public at large understanding the full set of ingredients that are needed to establish a proper Science Park was stressed by Dr Comins. He says that use of the term Science Park loosely devalues our position internationally at a time when potential investors need to receive the most accurate picture of development in South Africa and other regions in Africa. For more information on the XXV IASP World Conference 2008 contact: Responses to Call for Papers - Abstracts & Papers |
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