Local innovation and international collaboration at IASP Daedeok

Regional ecosystems, specialised talent and international collaboration: these are some of the topics debated at the IASP Asia Pacific Conference, held on 1-3 November in Daedeok (South Korea) and organised by IASP member Korea Innovation Foundation INNOPOLIS.

Nearly 200 delegates from over 40 countries gathered together to enjoy a two-day programme under the theme “STPs and AOIs: the past 50 years and the next 50 years”. Coinciding with Daedeok INNOPOLIS’ 50th anniversary, the conference was the perfect opportunity to learn about and discuss local and regional innovation developments, as well as the importance of opening communities to international collaboration.

To kick off the conference delegates attended an inspiring technical tour, carefully curated to showcase the local innovation ecosystem. Attendees had a chance to visit pioneer companies such as ETRI, specialised in era-shifting technologies that can make a better world through digitalisation, or the Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST) to learn more about their "education 4.0" system, with interactive discussion and case studies to encourage an entrepreneurial mindset among their 7,600+ students from around the world.

The history and future of Korea Innovation Foundation INNOPOLIS served as introduction to the event, which was inaugurated by Korea Innovation Foundation President Byung Sam Kang, IASP Asia Pacific Division President Suwipa Wanasathop and IASP CEO Ebba Lund.

Former President of the Agency for the Defence Development, Professor Hong-Yul Paik, delivered the keynote speech that walked attendees through the history of Daedeok INNOPOLIS and its direct influence on the country’s development in the past 50 years, which radically transformed the local community as well as contributed to position South Korea as one of the global leaders in innovation. He was later joined by Professor Nicholas Vonortas, George Washington University, in a debate on intangible assets, the role of innovation and its precarious equilibrium on generating disruption versus addressing society’s new challenges, and closing the gap between emerging economies and developed countries, while solving national issues to ensure a more stabilised economic growth.

Delegates had a chance to hear stories and case studies from Vietnam, Thailand and South Korea on their startup ecosystems, policies and international collaboration, and how the empowerment of communities through technology sharing can aid in addressing global challenges, as well as getting perspective on regional development, smart specialisation, and innovation ecosystems as platforms for innovation creation and diffusion.

Moving on to the next 50 years, delegates enjoyed learning from two complementary yet opposing perspectives – business and academia – on talent attraction and retention as a pillar to success: job matching between international students and local companies, strategies to integrate international students and make them feel part of the local culture and community, improve international competitiveness are just a few of the ideas shared that can help creating an intelligent network that foster the circulation and exchange of knowledge, expertise and ideas.

In addition to the inspiring content programme, delegates had a chance to experience the local culture through an excellent social programme, that allowed them to continue networking and growing their personal connections as well as the IASP community.

Congratulations again to our host Daedeok INNOPOLIS on their 50th anniversary and 30 years as IASP member: to many more years of global collaboration!