The Spanish Association of Science and Technology Parks (APTE) participated in the 42nd World Conference of the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP), held in Beijing, China, from September 17 to 19.
The event brought together representatives from science and technology parks, innovation areas, and R&D organizations from around the world to discuss the future of these ecosystems in a global context shaped by digitalization, sustainability, and industrial transformation.
Several representatives from APTE member parks, along with APTE itself, took part as speakers and moderators, sharing insights and expertise from Spain’s innovation ecosystem:
- Sonia Palomo, Director of Technology Transfer and International Relations at Málaga TechPark, participated in the panel Role and Impact of Science Parks in Urban Development, where she presented Málaga TechPark’s approach to urban collaboration and expanding the innovation ecosystem.
- Carina Rapetti, General Director of the Triple Helix Association and Project Manager at La Salle – Universitat Ramon Llull, joined the session Work, Live, Play: Urban Entrepreneurial Spaces, discussing innovation ecosystem governance and innovation district development.
- Cristina Andrés, Head of Marketing and Innovation at the Basque Technology Park Network, spoke during the plenary session Industrial Development Driven by Innovation Spaces, showcasing the multi-campus evolution of the Basque Technology Park in Bilbao as a model for urban transformation and industrial growth.
- Josep M. Piqué, CEO of La Salle Technova Barcelona, moderated a debate on innovation district governance and implementation strategies, sharing case studies from Brazil, China, and Italy.
- Soledad Díaz, Managing Director of APTE, joined the panel AI and Digitalization Transforming Innovation Communities, reflecting on how AI can enhance the ability of science and technology parks to manage innovation ecosystems and design new, stimulating spaces.
- Juan Antonio Bertolín, General Director of Espaitec Science and Technology Park at Universitat Jaume I de Castelló, participated in the panel Future Trends in Innovation Spaces Over the Next 20 Years, presenting a European perspective on cross-border collaboration to tackle the challenges of the coming decades.
The Spanish delegation’s agenda included numerous meetings and site visits: They visited Zhongguancun Science Park, Beijing’s largest science and technology park, and toured Huawei’s R&D center in Beijing, where they explored cutting-edge digital transformation solutions, energy efficiency projects, and smart campus developments built around AI-driven technologies.
Additionally, they participated in a business networking event with organizations from the Jiaming Mapfre Industrial Park.
Spain’s participation in this year’s IASP World Conference underscored the international presence of APTE member parks and their strategic role in driving economic development, attracting talent, facilitating digital and industrial transformation, and developing new international collaboration strategies. This is one of the reasons why participating in global events like this is essential.
The 42nd IASP World Conference reaffirmed the global network’s commitment to sharing experiences and best practices, driving the creation of sustainable, digital, and collaborative innovation ecosystems.