Konza Technopolis Development Authority’s acting CEO John Paul Okwiri
By Maximilla Wafula
Kenya is set to host the 41st IASP World Conference on Science Parks and Areas of Innovation, IASP 2024 at Konza Technopolis. It will be the first time Kenya is hosting the event in its 41-year history.
The meeting to be held from September 24 to 27, 2024, will discuss the impact of changing demographics on entrepreneurship and technology and explore ways to combat global challenges the world is facing. The conference is expected to bring together experts from science and technology parks and other areas of innovation, technology-based incubators, academia, the public sector, and business to discuss and debate in depth on the latest trends in the industry’s increasingly complex structures for professional innovation support.
Stakeholders of the the 41st IASP World Conference on Science Parks and Areas of Innovation, IASP 2024 to be held at Konza Technopolis in September.
International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP) is a leading association of innovation ecosystems worldwide.
IASP Global President Ebba Lund Lund called on partners to among others engage and support the conference’s planning and positioning as a key event to look out for in Africa in 2024.
“We invite you to support the conference by way of sponsorship under different categories in kind and financially. Submit papers for presentation at the conference and publishing, nominate their spaces for consideration for IASP technical and cultural visits and mobilise delegates to attend the conference,” she said.
Lund made the remarks during a meeting by the Ministry of ICT and Digital Economy and Konza Technopolis.
Present during the meeting included the CEO of Kenya Space Agency, Hillary Kipkosgey, National Commission for Science and Technology director general Walter Oyawa, CEO of the ICT Authority of Kenya Stanley Kamanguya, PSs Juma Mukhwana (Industrialisation), Hassan Abubakar (Investment Promotion) and Beatrice Inyangala (Higher Education), vice chancellors of public universities, Heads of Missions in Kenya and private sector and development Partners.
Konza, being at the forefront of technological innovation in Africa, has been presented with an opportunity to showcase its cutting-edge technology and innovation ecosystem and demonstrate its crucial role in driving Africa’s digital transformation.
The conference is themed, “Demographics, Entrepreneurship and Technology: Defining the Frontiers of Future Economies.”
The theme was inspired by the rapidly shifting demographics occasioned by technological advancements, climate action and a focus towards Social Development Goals.
“Africa is broadly set to experience significant demographic changes in the coming years, and science parks and innovation districts such as the Konza Technopolis will play a key role in promoting entrepreneurship, job creation, and economic growth,” added Lund.
Key areas of interest for Kenya include the County Technology and Innovations Delivery Services Programme, Coordination of Technology, Innovation and Commercialization Programme, Science, Technology and Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Programme.
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