Annual Asian Science Park Association conference to be held first time in India

Hyderabad, India │ 12 October 2016 — The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) as a member of the Asian Science Park Association (ASPA) is organizing its 20th Annual Conference (ASPA-2016) for the first time in India. The conference is to facilitate strong linkages between India and Asia-Pacific Countries and their stakeholders in Science & Technology for cross border exchange of ideas and technologies.

Organized jointly with the Hyderabad Visitors Convention Bureau (HCVB), the four-day conference will be held at Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC), Hyderabad, Telangana, from 19-22 October, 2016.

The theme for the ASPA-2016 is Innovation sharing and collaborative opportunities in Science & Technology for advancement in Asia & Asia Pacific.

“ASPA has been trying to present a new paradigm for Asian industry and build economic consensus in this continent by bringing together innovative organizations, companies and individuals that contribute to industrial and economic development in their societies,” said Dr Kiran K. Sharma, 
Theme Leader – Agribusiness and Innovation Platform, Innovation Systems for the Drylands Program, ICRISAT and Chairman of the ASPA-2016 Organizing Committee.

The conference consists of technical sessions on cutting edge issues in this space and Leaders in the industry will explore in-depth issues pertaining to science and technology parks for start-ups, translational research platforms and challenges and opportunities in public-private collaborations in Asia.

ASPA is an international nongovernmental organization established in Japan in 1997 to accomplish collaborative development in the fields of science and technology, industry and economy in the Asian region. As part of its efforts ASPA holds an Annual Conference to boost scientific information exchange and to share experience and knowledge through an ever expanding network of innovative organizations such as Science & Technology Parks (STPs), Research Parks, Business Incubation Centers, Universities, Academic Institutions, Venture Companies and ASPA members, companies and researchers.

The need for convergence of technology and business for enhanced developmental impact has been established as a well-known fact. The academia or research over these last couple of decades is interacting proactively with the industry for commercialization of public led research technologies and has proven to be a successful Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models for many organizations.

The ICRISAT Agribusiness and Innovation platform (ICRISAT-AIP) was established as an initiative of ICRISAT to enhance the public-private partnerships. ICRISAT –AIP includes the Agri-Business Incubation (ABI) program, Innovation and Partnership (INP) program and the Nutriplus knowledge (NPK) program.

About ASPA-2016:  www.aspa2016-india.in

About ICRISAT-AIP:  www.aipicrisat.org