The
establishment of science and technology parks in Africa finds its rationale in
the willingness of African countries to seek greater competitiveness of their economies
through improved achievement of their scientific, technological and innovation
potential says McLean Sibanda president of the International Association of
Science and Technology Parks (IASP) and Areas of Innovation (AI’s) Africa
Division. Sibanda, who is also CEO of
The Innovation Hub in South Africa, was speaking at the just ended 2014 IASP
Africa Division conference that took place at Gaborone International Convention
Centre (GICC) from the 9th to the 11th April, 2014.
Botswana
Innovation Hub in association with the Southern Africa Innovation Support
(SAiS) programme, BoFiNET, Dimension Data, BOCRA, Botho University and Orange
Botswana hosted the 2014I ASP Africa Division Conference. The conference
brought together leaders, experts, and professionals from science and
technology parks, areas of innovation, technology-based incubators, (all
collectively referred to as “STPs & AIs”) academia, the public sector and
businesses.
The theme of the
conference was, ‘Science and Technology Parks (STP’s) expanding economic
frontiers in Africa.’ The conference had three sub-themes, the first being Science Parks and Economic Diversification
which discussed the role STP’s play in addressing job creation and
socio-economic challenges. The second sub-theme, Africa and Innovation, discussed the challenges in the continent
that science, technology and innovation can and is addressing. The final
sub-theme, Science, Technology and
Sustainable Development discussed the role of STP’s and AI’s in sustainable
development, with particular emphasis on sustainable energy production, water
conservation, waste management, service delivery and productivity in Africa.
IASP is the
worldwide network of science parks and areas of innovation with over 388
members in 71 countries. The association connects professionals managing
science, technology and research parks and other areas of innovation and
provides services that drive growth and effectiveness for its members. Botswana
Innovation Hub is an affiliate member of IASP while it works on its operations,
service offering and membership volume to qualify for full membership.
In an scenario where, “it is now generally accepted that Africa is
the richest continent in the world by natural resources but the poorest by bank
balance, Africa’s blessings must not just be seen in its numerous resources,
its biodiversity or its topographical beauty but in its people who are a
spiritual and physical resource.” The advent of the knowledge-based or
weightless economy where the economy is driven by people and their interaction
and production in the exchange of both explicit and tacit knowledge recognizes people
as the most important pillar of business success and information as a critical resource that is essential
for the knowledge-based economy.
This view is supported by Barbra
Jansen who states that, “Information is the currency for knowledge and a social
and economic asset whose acquisition enables one to form intelligent opinions
and sound business decisions.” She asserts that information is a prerequisite
for the development of any individual, organization or nation and is widely
regarded as the most democratic form of power, and that power in the politics
and economies of the future will flow to those who have the best information
and knowledge.
Officially opening the conference,
Vice President of the Republic of Botswana, Hon. Dr Ponatshego Kedikilwe said
the recognition of the economic value of knowledge has
created an enabling environment for the establishment of science and technology
parks. Dr Kedikilwe said science and technology parks have set out to rewrite
the African economic order by addressing the African puzzle of abundant
resources in the midst of poverty and how the continent can address this by
providing unique platforms for knowledge-based economies that diversify and
expand African economic frontiers.
Dr Kedikilwe said that innovation plays a pivotal role to the
economic status of countries and that it is critical for governments to give
support to projects, companies and individuals who show interest in
innovation.“It is through innovation that some countries around the world have
excelled their economies, hence equipping their people with the necessary tools and support to carry out such projects
to sustain their local demands to even the outside markets,” revealed
Kedikilwe.
He added that with the theme of the conference being, ‘Science and
Technology Parks expanding economic frontiers in Africa,’ it is no doubt that
innovation of new ideas and establishment of technology parks by governments
such as the Botswana Innovation Hub is a clear indication that African
countries are also identifying the importance of innovation as a critical
aspect of boosting their economic fortunes.
In his address
to the conference, the Director General of IASP, Luiz Sanz said through the
establishment of Botswana Innovation Hub, government recognizes the economic
challenges that Botswana as a nation and Batswana as a people face as a direct
or indirect consequence of being part of the greater global community. He
praised the establishment of Botswana Innovation Hub as a game changer that
forges the way forward for the country to transform its economy from being
resource based to that which depends on knowledge as its main raw material.
The conference delegates
came from across the world with presentations from places such as Nigeria
(Abuja Technology Village), Morocco (Techno Park), Tanzania, Namibia,
Mozambique, Spain, Switzerland, South Africa and many others.
Speaking at the
end of the conference, Botswana Innovation Hub CEO Alan Boshwaen said the conference
was a resounding success, “From our point of view, the conference achieved the
primary objective of deepening stakeholder awareness about the role of science
technology parks and areas of innovation and strengthening inter SADC, Africa
and international networks that can coalesce further and catalyze action around
the conference themes.” He said the conference allowed Botswana Innovation Hub to
cultivate and leverage a community of experts as well as build a deeper
consensus about its role in the Botswana innovation system and the progress
made.
For his part, Botswana
Innovation Hub’s Marketing, Registration and ICT Director, Dr Geoffrey Seleka
believes that, “Building on the success of the conference, we are confident
that with the commencement of construction of the parks Icon Building, the increasing
strategic partnerships that offer professional innovation support, the ongoing
and expanding programmes that cultivate a vibrant innovation ecosystem and the
growing membership numbers we will soon qualify for full IASP membership. He
thank sponsors and participants for a successful conference that builds a solid
foundation for the country’s knowledge-based economy.
All conference
papers have been posted on the conference portal on the Botswana Innovation Hub
website: www.bih.co.bw
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