The 41st IASP Conference to Kicks Off Today
The 41st edition of the International Association of Science Parks (IASP) kicks off today in Nairobi. The Conference, bringing together over 1500 delegates from 400 science parks and innovation hubs, is organized by Konza Technopolis on behalf of Kenya.
“We are proud to host the 41st edition of the IASP Conference, making Kenya the second country in Africa to host it after South Africa hosted it in 2008,” Eng. John Tanui, the Principal Secretary, State Department of Information Communication and Digital Economy said. Eng. Tanui is the President of IASP Africa Chapter.
The International Association of Science Parks (IASP) is an independent, non-profit, NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (UNESCO). It is a world-wide membership association comprising Science and Technology Parks (STPs), innovation districts, and other Areas of Innovation (AOIs). Konza Technopolis is a full member of IASP which has a network of over 115,000 companies and 400 member organizations. It has established a presence in over 76 countries across Africa, Asia Pacific, Eurasia, Europe, Latin, North America, West Asia, and North Africa.
Every year, the IASP hosts its annual international conference focusing on different themes in the innovation and science parks space, in different member countries. The conference brings together experts from science and technology parks and other areas of innovation, technology-based incubators, academia, the public sector, and business to discuss and debate in depth the latest trends in the industry’s increasingly complex structures for professional innovation support.
In 2021, KoTDA submitted a bid to host the IASP World Conference in 2024. At the 39th IASP World Conference held in Seville, Spain in September 2022 Kenya was voted as the preferred candidate for the 2024 conference garnering 84 votes at the general assembly of members. Nairobi, Kenya was therefore announced as the host for 41st IASP World Conference to be organized by Konza Technopolis.
“We are very pleased to be here in Kenya for this global event where all our members are present. We look forward to our members having the international platform to network and exchange knowledge, gain new ideas and perspectives from peers on the management of science parks and areas of innovation,” IASP Board President Lena Miranda said.
Konza Technopolis is a key flagship project of Kenya’s Vision 2030. The Technopolis is envisioned as a sustainable, world-class economic hub and a significant contributor to Kenya’s knowledge economy, with a vibrant mix of businesses, workers, residents, and urban amenities. It’s expected to create thousands of skilled jobs and contribute 2% to the country Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The theme for this year’s conference is Demographics, Entrepreneurship and Technology: Defining The Frontiers of Future Economies. The Conference will have numerous plenary and breakout sessions covering topical areas such as youth entrepreneurship and ecosystems, building hubs for innovation and social transformation, innovation in emerging markets and the fintech sector and emerging funding models. Other thematic areas will be fostering youth entrepreneurship in the and creative sectors, ethical considerations in innovation, Digital skilling opportunities to promote innovation and future of work and talent development.
“We look forward to very engaging sessions during the conference with great inputs from the panel of experts, practitioners, innovators, entrepreneurs and policy makers,” John Paul Okwiri, Konza Technopolis CEO said.
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