International Collaboration

UKSPA International Collaboration Programmes

The UKSPA Study Tour, Training Programme and Business-to-Business Collaboration Programme owes its origins to an innitiative in October 2003 when the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy in Beijing (British Council), and the Department of International Co-operation and Exchange of the Ministry of Education of China (MoE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Science Park Collaboration. The MoU aims to facilitate interaction between the China National Association of University Science Parks (CNAUSP) and the United Kingdom Science Park Association (UKSPA). One of the key activities identified in the MoU is the provision of training in key skills to science park managers in China.

In November 2004, the British Council invited UKSPA to provide suitable experts, representing science parks in the UK, to come to China to deliver Phase 2 of the training to Chinese managers of the 44 members of CNAUSP.

In May 2005 the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology in Abuja, Nigeria contracted with UKSPA to provide a study tour for the Nigerian Permanent Secretary along with regional government representatives from Nigeria. The aim of the tour was to provide the delegation with good practice case studies and information which could be applied in Nigeria to improve the impact of their Science and Technology Strategy and the performance of their technology-based incubators.

The UKSPA Approach

Our approach in designing and delivering the UKSPA Offer is to bring together experts and practitioners from both the public and private sectors representing UK Science Parks and those in the private sector charged with assisting the development of UK Science Parks and their tenants.

In specific terms, we want to make absolutely sure that the representatives from your country who attend a study tour or a training programme understand the fundamentals of science park management and development and the needs of those based at science parks in terms of their aspirations for the future.

UKSPA Study Tours
Background

UKSPA will organise for your delegation to meet with science park and incubator managers and relevant private companies working to support this sector.

You can choose either to travel around the UK meeting our members on their parks or UKSPA will organise for meetings to take place in a central location in the UK.

Each Study Tour will be designed to reflect the needs of the delegation.

Feedback from the Nigerian Delegation:

“We have learned so much from the tour and all the members of our delegation are expressing their gratitude to you and your colleagues for a well organised programme.”

Dr Aliyu, Permanent Secretary to the Honourable Minister of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology in Abuja, Nigeria.

UKSPA Training Programme
Background

UKSPA will organise a team of trainers from the UK Science Park Association to put together a professional development programme for your staff. The team will come over to your country and provide presentations and workshops on the topics most important to your needs and your innovation strategy.

Objectives

The objectives of an UKSPA Training Programme are

to share with the delegation the latest knowledge and best practice in relation to science park and technology-based incubator management theory and practice in the UK.
To help prepare the delegation’s stakeholders and practitioners to contribute to the successful development of the knowledge economy in their country.

At the end of the programme we would like all of the delegates who take part to

feel comfortable and confident in understanding the market governing UK science parks
to be knowledgeable on the key issues ranging from estates management to finance and growth
to understand the fundamental needs of tenants and others based in science park type environments
to be enthusiastic about the opportunities they are presented with in terms of their own science parks in their own country
to appreciate the success stories associated with UK science parks but to be able to identify the issues that can affect successful growth
to be thirsty for more knowledge on science park development

UKSPA Business-to-Business Support
Background

UKSPA will organise an initial event to be hosted by the overseas partner, involving up to four UK science parks who would have already expressed an interest in twinning and, a similar number of Science Parks from the host country.

This programme consists of five stages:

Twinning Event,
Peer Learning,
‘Soft landing zones’,
Business-to-Business collaborations,
Development of a Technology Partnership database.

At the end of the business-to-business support process companies will have developed an understanding of the possibilities for international collaboration and may have developed agreements with UK companies to continue to work in partnership. Facilitators and representatives of intermediary organisations will have in depth knowledge of routes through to the UK innovation sector market.

If you are interested in this offer should contact the UKSPA office on ++44 (0)1799 532049 or email info@ukspa.org.uk