A postcard from the IASP World Conference in Beijing, China
Last week, Norrköping Science Park took part in the IASP World Conference. While it was a debut for us, it was the 42nd edition of this global gathering of science parks and areas of innovation. This year’s conference, hosted in Beijing, brought together over 900 delegates across more than 90 countries, all united by the mission to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and collaboration between industry, academia, and society.
As new members of IASP (International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation), this was an important opportunity for us to deepen our role in the international dialogue. The theme of the year, “Elevating excellence: Innovation spaces driving high-quality development”, set the stage for a week filled with knowledge-sharing, new perspectives, and discussions on the future of our industry.
Here are some highlights:
Pre-conference training seminar
To kickstart the week, we joined the pre-conference training seminar, an interactive day of talks, learning, and networking with other IASP members. It was a crash course into the IASP community and a fantastic opportunity to gain inspiration from the stories and experiences of colleagues around the globe.
The full group participating in the pre-conference training seminar. Photo by IASP.
New to IASP reception
Later that day, we attended the “NEW2IASP reception”, where new members connected with the IASP board, met the IASP team, and networked with fellow newcomers. In total, more than 40 new members were welcomed into the global community during the conference in Beijing.
On the final day, we were called on stage and presented with a NEW2IASP statuette, marking our official welcome into the IASP community.
Sharing knowledge
During the conference we also had the chance to contribute to the global conversation. Our CEO, Jonas Nilson, presented “Industry accelerators for sustainable society development: the Norrköping model”. At the same time, the conference was a fantastic platform for us to learn from global colleagues and to make new, valuable connections.
Jonas presenting the Norrköping model in one of the conference breakout sessions. Photo by IASP.
Election of the 2027 host city
One of the week’s highlights was the election of the 2027 host city, decided by IASP members. Norrköping was proud to be one of three finalists worldwide, alongside Chiang Mai, Thailand, and Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. After a nail-biting vote ceremony, Saudi Arabia was selected to host the conference in 2027.
Being shortlisted was a tremendous recognition of our region and our innovation ecosystem. It put Norrköping on the international map, provided valuable visibility, and positioned us for future collaborations and opportunities.
Study visits and exploing new technology
Beyond the conference halls, we took part in several inspiring study visits, including the ZGC E-TOWN International Robotics Industrial Park, the Daxing International Hydrogen Energy Demonstration Zone, and the Xiaomi Smart Factory.
Excited to explore the ZGC E-TOWN International Robotics Industrial Park.
Getting a firsthand look at one of the many robotics applications showcased at the demonstration facility. This specific robot is used in pharmacy settings to retrieve and handle medication.
Building on momentum
For Norrköping Science Park, we return home energized and inspired, carrying new insights, fresh perspective, and valuable connections across the globe to build on as we move forward. While the conference may have come to an end, the conversations, collaborations, and ideas it sparked are just beginning.
The Norrköping team on site in Beijing: Jonas Nilson, Klara Ewald, and Jessica Sandin.
Catch a glimpse of our week! Watch the highlights from the IASP World Conference in our LinkedIn post here.
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