Delegation of ECOSF visits Isfahan Science and Technology Town

Go Back

A delegation of ECO Science Foundation (ECOSF) comprising of President ECOSF, Prof. Manzoor H. Soomro, Executive Director (elect) Dr. Seyed Komail Tayebi and Assistant Director (Programmes) Ghulam Abbas visited Isfahan Science and Technology Town on 9 January 2017. The delegation was in Isfahan for the Capacity Building Workshop (8-13 Jan 2017) on Inquiry Based Science Education (IBSE) jointly organized by ECOSF and its International Collaborators including La main a la pate of France, IAP SEP and ISTIC Malaysia at the University of Isfahan Iran.

The ECOSF delegation was warmly received by President ISTT Dr. Mehdi Keshmiri and his team. During the visit, a meeting was held with the officials of ISTT. A powerpoint presentation about ISTT was given to the visiting delegation by Ms. Mozhgan Yazdianpour, Director of International Affairs of ISTT; the President of ISTT Dr. Keshmiri and Director of UNESCO Chair and Director of the Iran Regional Center for Technology Incubators and Science Parks under the auspices of UNESCO (IRIS) Dr. M. Javad Omidi and other colleagues were also present and shared their wisdom about developing S&T Parks. It was informed that ISTT is the first and leading Science Town in Iran. The mission of the ISTT is to promote knowledge-based economic development by supporting innovative companies, fostering entrepreneurial culture, creating science and technology parks and incubators and stimulating the flow of knowledge amongst universities, scientific organizations, companies and market. So far, 38 Science Technology Parks have been established across Iran. It was also informed that 470 technological companies have been facilitated by ISTT to be established to provide the scientific services to the masses.

President ECOSF briefly introduced ECOSF and its aims and objectives and programmes to ISTT. It was shared with ISTT that the activities of ECOSF are focused on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) based Economic Development in ECO region. It was further informed that to strengthen the science base for STI research, the Foundation has launched a programme of Inquiry Based Science Education (IBSE) for STEM subjects at school level; whereby, the Teacher Trainers and School Teachers as well as Scientists are being trained, and that the on-going IBSE workshop in Isfahan is part of that programme. ECOSF plays a pivotal role in promoting/supporting to develop collaboration in STI between the organizations/institutes of its member states.

During the meeting, collaboration between ECOSF and ISTT was discussed and expertise of ISTT may be utilized in other member countries for setting up various scientific facilities and S&T Parks. It was agreed that both the organizations will be in touch for pursuing common goals in collaboration.

Finally, the ECOSF delegation was taken and shown around the S&T Town including outlets of two companies and a Children S&T Park facilitated/supported/developed by ISTT.