UKSPA Directory
UKSPA International
Many of our Members are increasingly engaged in international activities whether it be through European funded projects , ad-hoc twinning arrangements with like-minded colleagues in other countries , or entertaining the numerous delegations from overseas science parks and areas of innovation . There is an increasing International dimension to the work of UKSPA and whilst UKSPA is still first and foremost a UK based Membership Association , we encourage international Members to be part of our network in order that we are able to share our experiences and enrich our own knowledge of ways in which science parks and innovation environments are developing overseas .
UKSPA and Internationalisation
Issues such as smart specialisation and Internationalisation are firmly on the UKSPA Agenda . UKSPA members are ideally placed to contribute , enhance and facilitate smart specialisation and commercial innovation . International links are exceptionally important to innovation in the UK and the UK attracts more inward investment for R & D than any other country in the EU .
Science parks and other UKSPA Innovation locations have a crucial role to play . Companies don ’ t just choose countries to locate their R & D and other activities – they choose places . A place with the right kind of premises , a flexible and supportive business environment and collocation with synergetic businesses and service companies can all be big factors . And if a company is looking for proximity to a world-class research organisation for collaboration on cutting-edge innovation , then UKSPA members can deliver , both in universities and in research institutes .
UKTI ( UK Trade & Investment ) has joined with UKSPA at a number of recent events , recognising that the UK ’ s strength in science and innovation are big opportunities for both inward investment and trade . As well as contributing to recent conferences UKTI have developed the UKTI Innovation Gateway which is focused on cross-sector inward investment opportunities in the area of science & innovation , as well as the trade potential .
UKSPA in China
Over recent years a numb er of UKSPA delegations have visited China to explore the linkages between the UK and Chinese Science park sectors . This has culminated in a small number of Science Parks joining the Association – the first of which was Zhongguancun Science Park - one of the leading technology centres in the world ,
As part of our partnership with Chinese Science Parks , Dr Malcolm Parry ( former Chairman of UKSPA ) and others from UKSPA visited Shanghai to cover techniques for efficient science park management , international technology transfer , and approaches for multimedia and biomedical park development .
The previous Minister for Universities and Science , Rt Hon David Willetts MP commented that the UK Government is keen to take advantage of the UK and China ’ s complementary strengths . He supports the work that UKSPA is doing in China , and hopes that UKSPA will work with the UK Government to build cooperation between organisations in UK and China .
“ The UK is widely respected around the world for our research and innovation ,” said David Willetts MP . “ By supporting the development of innovation capacity in other countries we can make it easier for UK businesses and universities to build links with counterparts overseas .
The UK Science Park Association is a good example of this . Their work with the Chinese Association of University-based Science Parks has been highly valued by the Chinese Government .”
UKSPA has established a relationship with science parks in China over the years , and initially delivered a training development programme in a number of China ’ s science parks several years ago .
Ireland
UKSPA also has in Membership a number of Innovation Centres and Incubators in Ireland which were showcased at UKSPA ’ s first event in Dublin in 2015 . Contributions from UKSPA Members Nova UCD and CoLab in Letterkenny illustrated the developments taking place across Ireland .
The growth of the Irish Innovation Sector and the expansion of centres such as the Dublin Institute of Technology and the development of new locations such as Maynooth University Science Park will hopefully see continued growth in membership activities between the UK and Ireland .
New Zealand
2014 also saw an UKSPA presence in New Zealand courtesy of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and hosted by our most distant Member , Waikato Technology Park Association , CEO Pul Wright took the opportunity for a brief visit to New Zealand . New Zealand has a wealth of research and knowledge across a number of sectors , and we are keen to cement more northern / southern hemisphere trading and partnering links between both our tenants and our Members .
Welcoming International Delegations
The Association also has regular contacts from visiting Groups from across the globe and has organised a number of study tours and presentations to ensure that the experience and knowledge held by UKSPA is shared .
If you are interested in finding out more than please do contact the UKSPA Executive team by email to info @ ukspa . org . uk .
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