The Innovation Hub, a subsidiary of Blue IQ Investment Holdings, hosted a very successful XXV International Association of Science Parks (IASP) World Conference at the Sandton Convention Centre from the 14 to17 September 2008. More than 450 delegates from 59 countries around the world attended the event. 2008 was the first time that the IASP World Conference on Science and Technology Parks (STP) was held in Africa and it has indeed once again proven to be a key meeting place for STP professionals.
It is at these conferences where colleagues from all over the world get together, discuss the latest developments in their industry and share their experience. Under the theme “The role of Science Parks in accelerating knowledge economy growth - contrast between emerging and more developed economies” 57 speakers brought about many highly interesting and relevant issues and topics.
One of the highlights of the event was the launch of the new IASP African Division on 18 September 2008 after ongoing talks and discussion about the status of the Science Park industry in Africa. Mr Tsietsi Maleho, acting CEO at The Innovation Hub, was appointed the first IASP African Division President. Another highlight was the renewal of the IASP Board of Directors at the General Assembly of the IASP Association held in Johannesburg on 16 September 2008. Joan Bellavista (Parc Cientific de Barcelona, Spain) was appointed the new IASP president, replacing Professor Chachanat Thebtaranonth, who held the position for the last two years.
The next event, the XXVI IASP World Conference, will take place in Raleigh, North Carolina from 1 to 4 June 2009, followed by Daejeon, Korea in 2010. The 2011 World Conference will be in Copenhagen, Denmark.
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