UNESCO category II Center in Isfahan (IRIS) and ISTT organized a training workshop on Science & Technology Parks and Incubators Development in Oman

-   Knowledge Oasis Oman, Technology Park

-   Public Establishment for Industrial Estates

-   Zubair SEC

-   The Research Council

-   Innovation Park Muscat

-   Sultan Qabus University

-   National Bank Muscat

-   Innovation & Entrepreneurship Dept.  

The workshop was conducted and facilitated by Dr. Mohammad Javad Omidi, ISTT Vice-President for Technology Development & Director of IRIS; Ms. Mozhgan Yazdianpour, Director of ISTT and IRIS International & Scientific Cooperation Departments; and Mr. Mohammad Sepehr Assadian, Director of ISTT Technology Incubator.

The three speakers from IRAN shared their knowledge and experiences in the field with the Omani participants. The experiences of ISTT in admission, pre-incubation, incubation, Science Park, support services, evaluation, mentorship, Investment and financial affairs were among the subjects that were discussed during the workshop. The participants raised different questions during the workshop that were replied by the instructors. Meanwhile, an introduction to IRIS and ISTT was made to the participants. The participants also got familiar with ISTT’s technopreneurship and entrepreneurship activities including Sheikh Bahai Technopreneurship Festival.

An evaluation was made after the workshop to see how fruitful it has been to the participants. It showed that almost all participants were satisfied with the contents of the course and a positive feedback was received from the attendees. Knowledge and experience sharing based on practical and scientific issues was one of the main characteristics of this workshop. The speakers were praised and appreciated by IPM Managing Director at the end of the workshop.

IRIS acts as a regional platform for promoting the development of science parks and technology incubators. The basic activities of this regional center include conducting capacity-building, providing technical assistance, facilitating knowledge transfer, supporting research, networking; and information exchange and dissemination.

IRIS and ISTT have other applications for conducting similar workshops in other countries and they welcome any new application and would be happy to share their experiences with and help other countries embark on establishing science and technology parks and incubators in their region.