TEHRAN –Tehran University’s knowledge-based companies plan to participate in the 41st International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP) World Conference on Science Parks and Areas of Innovation which will be held in Nairobi, Kenya in September, head of Tehran University’s science and technology park has announced.

Ali Asadi made the remarks in a meeting with Kenya’s ambassador in Tehran, Joshua Igweta Gatimo, on Saturday, IRNA reported.

“We are trying to develop technological cooperation with Kenya,” Asadi said.

Highlighting the capacities and capabilities of the two countries, Gatimo for his part, expressed hope that these capacities will be shared with Kenya, especially technological collaboration. IASP 2024 will provide a chance for Iran to visit knowledge-based companies in Kenya.

“Kenya welcomes Iranian knowledge-based companies’ technology and knowledge to be shared with its start-up companies,” he added.

He went on to say that effective measures will be taken for the development of scientific cooperation between the two countries.

IASP

IASP is a worldwide membership-based organization, an independent non-profit NGO managed by experts in science and technology parks and areas of innovation.

It is the leading association of innovation ecosystems worldwide. Its mission is to be the global network for science parks innovation districts and other areas of innovation, driving growth, internationalization, and effectiveness for its members.

IASP coordinates an active network of managers of areas of innovation, science parks, research parks, innovation districts, knowledge cities, and other innovation spaces.

It enhances new business opportunities for members and their companies, increases their visibility, and multiplies their global connections. It also represents parks and areas of innovation at international forums and institutions.

As the 41st IASP World Conference returns to Africa for the first time since 2008, the main theme will be “Demographics, entrepreneurship, and technology: defining the frontiers of future economies”.

The theme has particular significance as it explores the role to be played by science parks and areas of innovation, not only in empowering regions such as Africa and Asia to harness the potential of their burgeoning youth demographic, entrepreneurship, and technology for economic growth but also in addressing the challenges posed by a global population that is steadily aging.

In this context, the theme calls upon participants to reflect on critical components of collaboration across the world to ensure that there is a sufficient talent pool, innovation, and technology base, to sustain the global economy.

Iran to transfer technology to Africa

In July 2023, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, who accompanied President Ebrahim Raisi on his trip to Africa, spoke about Iran’s perspective on the continent and the potential for collaboration with African nations.

“Iran’s view on Africa is quite different from that of neo-colonialism or its older version,” Amir-Abdollahian told Press TV in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe.

“We aim to empower Africa through technology transfer,” he said.

The foreign minister continued his remarks by elaborating on two key points of convergence between Iran and African countries. 

African people and their leaders are now quite sensitive to protecting their independence and this is among the commonalities between Iran and African nations, Amir-Abdollahian underlined. 

“Another issue of equal importance for Iran and Africa is the U.S. sanctions regime. With Africa’s assistance, we should prevent the U.S. and certain states that still have a colonial mindset from utilizing the deadly tool of sanctions against nations,” Iran’s top diplomat pointed out. 

MT/MG