Saudi Arabia's KACST Elected To Lead WANA Region At International Association Of Science Parks

King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) has been elected to lead the West Asia and North Africa (WANA) Region of the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP). This decision highlights KACST's significant role in promoting innovation and a knowledge-driven economy both regionally and globally. The announcement was made at the annual conference held at KACST's headquarters in Riyadh.

The conference gathered leaders from various innovation parks to discuss strategies for developing these parks across the region. They focused on strengthening international partnerships, sharing expertise on knowledge transfer, and addressing challenges such as attracting investment and talent. Participants also explored policy development to support entrepreneurship and startup growth.

Saudi Arabia's leadership in the WANA Region will boost regional cooperation, facilitating expertise exchange among member countries. It aims to support joint technology initiatives, empower startups to expand into regional markets, and connect them with global networks of science parks. This aligns with Saudi Vision 2030's goal of fostering a knowledge-based economy.

Dr. Khalid Al-Dakkan, Senior Vice President of KACST for Innovation Parks, stated that this achievement signifies a qualitative shift in regional leadership. It enhances Saudi Arabia's international presence in science, technology, and innovation. The presidency also grants KACST membership on the IASP Board of Directors, allowing it to influence global initiatives related to innovation and sustainable development.

KACST's efforts in developing science parks are recognized through this achievement. The Kingdom is committed to fostering partnerships among academic, research, and industrial entities to achieve its Vision 2030 goals. This includes building a robust knowledge-based economy by collaborating with partners across Saudi Arabia’s science and technology valleys.

The National Alliance of Science Parks and Innovation Districts, established by the Research, Development, and Innovation Authority, plays a crucial role in enhancing Saudi Arabia’s science parks. It aligns visions among government bodies, private entities, researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors to maximize outcomes from these parks.

Global Network of Innovation

The WANA Region is one of six regions under IASP, comprising 36 members from countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Qatar, Morocco, Palestine, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Iran. The region aims to support an innovation-based economy transition by strengthening connections among government bodies, private-sector entities, and universities.

IASP is a prominent global network with over 350 members worldwide. It includes science parks, innovation districts, incubators, and accelerators across 81 countries. The association focuses on empowering innovation ecosystems by enhancing collaboration among government entities, academia, and industry for sustainable development.

This presidency underscores Saudi Arabia’s dedication to advancing its scientific research capabilities while promoting regional cooperation in technology and innovation sectors.

With inputs from SPA