Paper submission - Coversheet Information Paper for the 30 th IASP World Conference on Science and Technology Parks, 2013 Riyadh Techno Valley a 4th Generation Science Park Title of the paper: Driving the change of Riyadh to Knowledge City Session for which the Steering Committee has provisionally selected PARALLEL 1 - Parks and cities - Intelligent systems and the abstract submitted prior to this infrastructures paper: Length of the paper: 3.029 words Author Given Name: ABDULAZIZ SURNAME: ALDUSARI Organisation: RIYADH TECHNO VALLEY Position: CEO City: RIYADH Country: SAUDI ARABIA Author's e -mail address: [email protected] Phone (with area code): +966 (11) 4693058 [X] I confirm my ability to present my paper in English. [X] By submitting my Full Paper I authorise the Conference Organisers to publish it in the Conference Proceedings (if the Paper is approved by the Steering Committee). The kingdom of Saudi Arabia has adopted a long term economic development strategy that shifts its focus in developing Knowledge –based economy. In support of this King Saud University in Riyadh has launched the Riyadh Techno Valley project a 4 th generation science park that will aid to facilitate the kingdom’s efforts in developing a knowledge society. The RTV will play an integral role in encouraging and achieving these objectives. The Kingdom’s strategy plans towards a knowledge based economy Consistent with the development plans of the Kingdom, which aims to build a national basis for science and technology capable of innovation and renewal, in line with the trend towards knowledge-based economy. The Kingdom calls for the establishment of “Science and technology Parks” at universities and research centers to direct attention to the promotion of co-financing and joint research programs between industry and academic sector institutions and the establishment of business incubators in order to transform research results into industrial and commercial application. Thus King Saud University (KSU) Council passed on 2009 a resolution approving the establishment of Riyadh Techno Valley at KSU. Riyadh Techno Valley-King Saud University (RTV-KSU) RTV Strategy: Riyadh Techno Valley was established in order to achieve the visions of the Kingdom’s leadership plans to insinuate in the “Knowledge-Based economy” which means “to convert knowledge into economic value” through the conversion of technical inventions to innovations and new products for trading and investing economically in the market. It also aims to convey a leading/outstanding smart campus environment that will enhance research and business development, efficient operation, maintenance, and service delivery in addition to smart, dynamic, and cost-effective administration. Adapting dynamically to the changing patterns of work and lifestyles by evolving into knowledge communities to respond to a combination of business, educational, social, and environmental needs VISION Leadership in research and business development, as well as technology transfer MISSION To establish an eco-System in order to attract R&BD centers towards creating a competitive knowledge based economy to achieve sustainable development. Goals • Transfer habitat and development of technology to serve the national economy and achieve sustainable development. • Creating an attractive environment for local and global investments • Discovering, attracting and adopting innovators • Promoting cooperation and partnership between universities and the research and development centers locally and internationally. • Creating opportunities and distinguished career in the knowledge industry arenas. The Strategical plan for KSU During the last three years King Saud University adopted the 2030 Strategical plan. Mainly directing KSU as a research university in Saudi Arabia by focusing more on applied research which will bridge the gaps between the university and the industry and gain commercialized benefits from the academic research. KSU also is moving progressively towards knowledge Society in macro and micro scale in the kingdom by adopting innovations and entrepreneurial programs. Riyadh Techno Valley a 4 th Generation Science Park The concept of brain circulation was adopted in RTV in order to exchange new innovative business ideas and turn them into commercial realities. Exchanging the knowledge globally with distance by using the long distance tools such as internet, video conference and satellite technologies supported by reliable smart infra structure in RTV. Riyadh Techno Valley eco-system towards Knowledge Transfer In RTV a well structured eco- system in relation to knowledge transfer is the core of the research and development center in line with the aspirations of the kingdom. Research and Business Development (R&BD) The main goal of the Research and Business development activities in RTV to provide the best environment for the transfer and habitat of technologies towards achieving an eco-system that is relevant for the creation and establishment of new technologies in order to achieve a knowledge based society. Technology and Effective Knowledge Management The use of technologies that provide easy access to users and managers would enhance the KM processes. In order to improve the productivities at the Science parks, smart software web- based application tools would make finding information done in a short time very effectively. In addition the web-based application developed at RTV would improve the productivity through executing a smart search that is based on user-profile, storing information more effectively, communicating effectively with other parties, and accessing information securely. Furthermore, it maximizes the knowledge sharing and transfer of technologies. The new approach uses the concept of Geographic Information System (GIS) within the platform of wireless technologies in order to develop an interactive smart context-aware University GIS that enhances the information sharing, communication, and dissemination within the KSU campus and RKC area for the intention to create information-intensive eco-system supporting knowledge creativity and innovation in such multi-disciplinary environment. Smart Web Based Application Web-based database application if implemented properly it enables users to access stored information securely anywhere at any time whether they are stationary in the office or mobile. Hence using this technology can improve the productivity at the workplace since it reduces the delay for accessing information, allow users to interact with others in real-time, and reduce the processing time at the work environment. Three web-based smart database applications have been proposed in RTV to enhance the knowledge creation and storage, optimize the knowledge sharing and smart search, and improve the productivity for processing projects and interacting with all staff and tenants at the science parks and campus. Effective Eco-System for Knowledge Base-Economy In order to establish an eco-system for KBE at Science Parks, a proper model describing the role of each party and the interaction among them need to be structured. The innovation opportunities at the universities would be enhanced with the right collaboration and partnership between private research companies and government research institution nationally and internationally. This can be done through the establishment of science park eco-system which has main role of coordination and synchronization among its stakeholders and the university research sectors as well as external private research companies and its tenants. The initiatives associated with innovation would have a great effect on the national economy once an eco-system and effective Knowledge Management have been deployed Choosing the right model for establishing the eco-system plays an important role in maximizing the interaction among all stakeholders who can contribute to the creation of products to boost the knowledge Based-Economy (KBE). In line with this RTV Research and Business Development department develop an eco-system for the knowledge based economy at King Saud University at all phases that deals with the creation or transfer of knowledge, dissemination of knowledge, utilization of knowledge, and monitoring the knowledge management. Optimizing the phases of knowledge creation dissemination and utilization can be done by having effective collaboration and partnership programs between KSU researchers, national and international companies and universities, as well as government and fund institutions. In addition the establishment of smart city would help in attracting R&D companies to invest at RTV and support the innovation for strong knowledge economy and successful eco-system. Furthermore, the realization of this eco-system would allow the transfer and habitat of technology to RTV and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia towards creating useful products for achieving a strong knowledge based economy. This eco-system that is established at RTV involves the integration of all R&D units at the university along with collaboration and partnership with private and public sector in order to support the innovation toward creating useful products. Fig 1: RTV eco-system RTV Master Plan Elements: Each aspect of the RTV master Plan is designed to achieve one or more of the RTV objectives. Outlined below are the major Planning Guidelines and how each contributes to the overall Riyadh Techno Valley Vision. With the overall vision to create a Science Park that fosters an environment of innovation