The Innovation Hub elected to Chair the IASP African Division

Acting CEO of The Innovation Hub, Mr. Tsietsi Maleho

The XXV International Association of Science Parks (IASP) World Conference, hosted by The Innovation Hub from 14 – 17 September 2008, brought about a series of “firsts” in the history of these annual conferences. The Pretoria based Science Park, The Innovation Hub, was awarded the first accolade to lead the newly formed IASP African Division. African IASP members and representatives unanimously voted South Africa as frontrunner.

Acting CEO of The Innovation Hub, Mr. Tsietsi Maleho, is the first President of this IASP African Division and will serve for a period of two years. He will represent the African Division at quarterly board meetings; the first of which is scheduled for January 2009. Mr. Maleho says he is fully confident that The Innovation Hub possesses the in-depth experience and the skill to see the term through successfully.

This is also the first conference of its nature to be held on the African continent: with record attendance numbers of 528 delegates and dignitaries from 60 countries and the highest number of abstracts received in response to the Call for Papers was recorded.

“The effect of this election is that we now have our own IASP founding on the continent with participation from 14 other African countries including Kenya, Botswana, Nigeria, Tanzania, Ghana and Senegal. The primary objectives are to obtain buy-in of the African Union and setup coordination structures for the Division, after which we will develop and expand Science Parks within the African continent while continuing to support the existing parks,” explains Mr. Maleho enthusiastically.

The Innovation Hub has hosted and interfaced with many African delegates, primarily from the SADC countries, at their precinct to share their experiences, understanding and practices through various channels. These include forums held on the development of, challenges and opportunities associated to Science Parks. Says Maleho, “The appointment is a natural progression of the role we have been fulfilling in the last couple of years with our African counterparts. This opportunity will pave the way for countries in the planning phases to establishing their own Science Parks, being recognized accordingly, having knowledge and expertise at their disposal as well as belonging to the strongest Science Park association in the continent.”

The African Division will meet before the quarterly board meeting in January to formulate structures, programmes, offices and communication tools accessible to all. “This is the beginning of the new African IASP era and we are really honoured to be the catalysts of this forum,” concludes Maleho.