The member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) must strengthen the science and technology parks (STPs) to build a strong knowledge economy, experts said at an international workshop in Islamabad.

The international training workshop on “Managing Science and Technology Parks” kicked off on Wednesday at COMSTECH (Standing Committee for Scientific and Technological Cooperation), Islamabad. The workshop was organised by COMSTECH in collaboration with the Pardis Technology Park Iran, and ICCBS Technology Park and Technology Incubation Centre Pakistan.

The inaugural session of the two-day workshop was addressed by Director General for International Affairs and Public Relations of Pardis Technology Park Amin Reza Khaleghian. He stressed the need for establishment and optimum management of STPs in the OIC member states. He also highlighted the programs and activities of the Pardis Technology Park.

Coordinator General COMSTECH Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary said the STPs are part and parcel of knowledge economy ecosystem. He said the STPs play a central role in fostering linkages between the academic institutions and industries.

Prof Iqbal said the OIC countries are increasingly realizing the importance of STPs. He said the STPs are time-tested institutions since 1951 that contributed to economic development of many countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, China, France, and Germany. 

“We see many success stories in countries like Turkey, Iran, Malaysia, Egypt, and now in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, and several Central Asian States,” he noted.

Prof. Iqbal informed that a large majority of OIC member states, especially in Africa, are still lagging behind in this process of harnessing the innovative potential of their youth through such initiatives.

COMSTECH, with partner institutions, has launched major initiatives to help strengthen the STPs, including establishment of Inter-Islamic Network on Science and Technology Parks, based in Iran.Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk

The pro-rector for research, innovation and commercialization, NUST (National University of Sciences and Technology), also addressed the session and highlighted the importance of STPs and their role in the socio-economic development.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk