VietNamNet Bridge – Around 400 delegates will gather in HCM City for the 21st annual conference of the Asian Science Park Association (ASPA), which opens today.

A press conference was held to introduce the annual Asian Science Park Association conference to be held in HCM City from today. – VNS Photo

“This is a good chance for science and technology managers to exchange innovation ideas, experiences, update each other on developments and choose the most appropriate model for each country because of the different levels of science and technology,” Hirohisa Uchida, chairman of the ASPA, said.

Tran Vinh Tuyen, deputy chairman of the HCM City People’s Committee, said: “HCM City pays much attention to bringing science and technology into practice. This is a significant event to promote start-up businesses, and ASPA would be a good place to develop ideas.

“HCM City is now seeking technology solutions to build a smart city where sustainable socio-economic development can be ensured.”

The ASPA’s annual meeting will discuss five topics: science parks in life sciences and technology development towards a better quality of life; Asian science parks: opportunities for co-operation; venture capital for start-ups in science parks; Internet of Things in science parks: a new smart city model; and usage of renewable energy for sustainable development and environmental protection.

There will be 28 presentations by Vietnamese and foreign speakers.

There will be 90 foreign participants from countries and territories including Japan, Korea, Iran, Turkey, the US, Russia, Bhutan, Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia.

On the sidelines of the conference will be other events of the association including the ASPA executive board meeting to review last year’s activities and set directions for next year; ASPA vice president elections; annual ASPA Awards for ASPA featured members; and the selection of the host for the 22nd ASPA conference in 2018.

The conference will close on Saturday.

ASPA is an international non-governmental organisation established in Japan in 1997 for the purpose of joint development in Asia in areas such as science and technology, industry and the economy.

It has 148 members, including three from Viet Nam: the Sai Gon Hi-Tech Park, Da Nang Hi-Tech Park and Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park.

HCM City had hosted the 16th ASPA annual conference in 2012.

More information is available at http://www.aspa2017-hcmc.vn. 

VNS