Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have topped the list of countries contributing abstracts ahead of the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP)’s 31st Annual World Conference, a global gathering of science parks, entrepreneurs and policy-makers to be held in Doha later this year.
The organisers have confirmed that this is the highest participation IASP’s flagship world conference has witnessed in the last four years, with 138 abstracts submitted and 33 speakers anticipated for the October summit.
The update comes as the IASP Steering Committee convened in Doha to agree on the detailed agenda for IASP 2014 Doha, which will focus on the unique role of science parks in bridging the gap between entrepreneurs, academia and industry.
Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP) has been vocal about the crucial role played by the Arab region’s science and technology parks as innovation catalysts, breaking down barriers to success and supporting entrepreneurs.
The Steering Committee consists of officials from Qatar Foundation Research and Development and other prominent global hubs, including Wista - Management Gmbh Berlin Adlershof in Germany, Brazil’s Parco Tecnólogico do Rio/UFRJ and The Innovation Hub - Africa’s first internationally accredited science and technology park.
The committee members conducted a site visit to IASP 2014 Doha’s venue, Qatar National Convention Centre, noting how impressed they were by the facilities and solutions provided there.
Head of the IASP 2014 Organising Committee and QSTP managing director Hamad al-Kuwari said, “QSTP was honoured to host such a distinguished delegation of global innovation leaders and decision-makers. We are grateful for the support of Steering Committee members in making this event a success and are encouraged by the strong participation and interest we’ve already seen from our neighbours in the Gulf.”
IASP director-general Luis Sanz said, “The conference in Doha will be the first IASP World Conference in the region. Doha and QSTP will provide a perfect environment and platform for an international event of such importance.”
Unesco’s last Science Report found that linkages between academia and industry in Arab states were sometimes lacking and needed to be strengthened. It cited Qatar as an example of an Arab state tackling the issue by setting up a science park and implementing a national research strategy.