The evolution of science and technology parks
Correspondent | Friday March 14, 2014 15:23
STPs are generally seen as strategic economic drivers. STP success factors noted elsewhere include; country or region development of a fully synegised national system of innovation over time, utilising its core strength and national resources as an added advantage to outcompete others. The success of innovation ecosystems such as Silicon Valley in the USA were to a larger extent due to the then new sectors of electronics and chips or microprocessors development while utilising the skills generated from the key local academic research institutes which federal government research grants support.
Over the past few decades, there have been many attempts to replicate such models in other parts of the world with little success due to the different ecosystems where these attempts were made. International bodies such as the International Association of Science Parks (IASP) were established to among other things develop a standard STP framework.
According to the International Association of Science Parks (IASPs), a science park is an “organisation managed by specialised professionals whose main aim is to increase the wealth of its community by promoting a culture of innovation and competitiveness of its associated businesses and knowledge based institutions.” As a member of IASP, Botswana’s very own Botswana Innovation Hub is mandated to build the country’s first Science and Technology Park (STP) in a bid to position Botswana as the leading destination for innovation in Africa.
Though a first in Botswana, STPs have flourished in other parts of the world. The first science park was established hundreds of years ago in what is now the technology capital of the world, Silicon Valley. Science and Technology Parks are commonplace in the northern hemisphere, with Africa still working towards being a continent that is renowned for its innovations. Africa is however making strides towards this with 7 African countries currently boasting STPs.
These are namely Morocco, Egypt, Senegal, Madagascar, Tunisia, Botswana and South Africa. The Icon Building in the Botswana Innovation Hub’s Science and Technology Park, shall be the centrepiece of Botswana’s first STP, and is currently under construction. It is envisaged, under the auspices of Botswana Innovation Hub, that the Icon Building will offer state-of-the-art office and laboratory space for rental and a wide range of business and technology support services.
Although the first in the Botswana, the STP together with the recent opening of the Science and Technology University in Palapye (BIUST) indicates that there is a firm commitment to advancing science and technological development in the country. So far, 48 companies have been registered as Botswana Innovation Hub members and partner institutions. Some of these companies and institutions are ready to occupy spaces at the Park once construction of the first phase is completed.
Botswana Innovation Hub Chief executive Officer, Mr. Alan Boshwaen said “Botswana Innovation Hub is intended to play a key role in transforming Botswana into a technology-driven and knowledge based economy”.
At a time when the country is tackling diversification of its economy from mining, Botswana Innovation Hub will host the 2014 International Association of Science Parks (IASP) Africa Division Conference in Gaborone from the 9th to 11th April at Gaborone International Convention Centre. The conference will discuss issues around the role of science parks and economic diversification as well as Africa, Innovation, Science, Technology, and sustainability.
Dr Budzanani Tacheba is the Director of Cluster Development at Botswana Innovation Hub.