International Association of Science Parks
The International Association of Science Parks (IASP) brings together science and technology parks from around the world to encourage sharing of experience and cooperation. Science parks, also known as technology parks, technopoles and innovation centres, can be described as property-based initiatives which have operational links with universities, research centres and other higher education institutes. They are normally designed to encourage the formation and growth of knowledge-based industries or high added value tertiary firms, usually based on the site, and have a steady management team actively engaged in fostering the transfer of technology and business skills to tenant organizations. The IASP was established in 1984, and now has members in 39 countries worldwide, as well as contacts in many more. The networks established between its members not only benefit the parks themselves, but are also of benefit to the organizations based on the members' sites, extending the network to over 9,000 high-tech companies. In addition to encouraging cooperation, the IASP represents its members' interests to international organizations, including the European Community and the United Nations, and establishes contacts with other organizations with similar objectives. A membership directory listing contacts for all IASP's member science parks may be obtained from the IASP secretariat.