Muscat - Representatives from Oman will rub shoulders with YouTube co-founder Chad Hurley and other international technology entrepreneurs and policy makers at the 31st International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP) World Conference to be held in Doha, Qatar from October 19 to 22.
Representing Oman, The Research Council (TRC) will present a paper, 'Role of Science and Technology Parks (STP) as Technology Development Catalyst'.
This is the first time since its institution that the conference with a global gathering of 1,000 leading government, business and innovation figures from 45 countries will be held in the Middle East.
To enhance the sultanate's economic, entrepreneurial and knowledge base by supporting the growth of innovative and research-driven domestic companies in areas that include energy (e g enhanced oil recovery, renewable energy), health science, water and environment and food and biotechnology, TRC is in the process of setting up its own STP called the Innovation Park Muscat (IPM).
Meanhwile, Dr Abdulbaqi al Khabouri, director of scientific parks, TRC, who will be heading a four-member team at the IASP Conference, said that more than 35 per cent of construction work at IPM is complete.
Built on 280,000 sq m, the project is expected to be completed by the end of 2015 and will be used as premises for TRC. It will also provide space for business incubators and services to entrepreneurs and innovators.
Talking about development of scientific or innovation parks and their social benefits, Dr Khabouri said, "We have taken the first step in setting up the IPM, and have a lot to do in order to catch up with countries that lead the innovation race in the world."
He added that IPM will integrate applied and academic research, bringing the academic and business sectors closer.
IPM will stimulate and manage the exchange of knowledge between universities, R&D institutions and the business community.
Moreover, it will facilitate the creation and growth of innovation-based companies through incubation and spin-off processes; provide value-added services together with state-of-the-art office space and facilities, said the director.
Hamad al Kuwari, head of IASP 2014, Doha organising committee and managing director of Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP) said, "IASP for the first time will gather in the Middle East, bringing together entrepreneurs and policy makers from all over the world.
"Chad Hurley is one of the most visionary and influential technology entrepreneurs in the last 20 years and to have him join, speak and contribute to the success of IASP conference in Doha is a real privilege to our event and to the region.
"This year's event is already hitting new milestones and proving to be extremely popular, receiving its highest participation numbers in the past four years, and attracting 138 abstract submissions and 33 key speakers."
© Muscat Daily 2014
