Tech Park signs agreement with Korean equivalent

Western Australia's Technology Park has established a formal agreement to work with South Korea's biggest science and technology park, Daedeok Innopolis.

The memorandum of understanding, signed today by Science and Innovation Minister Francis Logan and Daedeok Innopolis chief executive In-Chul Park, will include an exchange of information and knowledge on best practice models, reciprocal delegation visits and meetings, access to facilities at both parks and exchange speaker arrangements at relevant events.

In May, Technology Park manager Zernike Australia announced its intention to widen the Park's activities through building stronger ties with the university sector and establishing new medical centres.

The park is home to nearly 100 companies, with international pharmaceutical company Pfizer its biggest tenant. Other companies to have operated there include Chemeq, Advanced Energy Systems, VibraQ and Intellect.

The agreement is another step towards its stated goal of further collaboration with outside groups.

A copy of an announcement from the minister's office is pasted below.

Korean boost to Technology Park.

The expansion of Western Australia's Technology Park at Bentley has taken another step forward through a new collaboration with Korea's biggest science and technology park, Daedeok Innopolis.

Science and Innovation Minister Francis Logan has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Daedeok Innopolis' chief executive officer and president, Mr In-Chul Park, to establish a co-operative relationship between the two organisations.

The MoU will provide a platform for information and knowledge exchanges and links into the science and innovation sectors.

"The Technology Park at Bentley is on the brink of a major expansion that will embrace the surrounding mix of diverse organisations and establish a major technology hub in WA," Mr Logan said.

"This new arrangement with Daedeok Innopolis will allow us to learn from the experiences of the biggest and most exciting science and technology park in Korea.

"We will be able to share best practice methods for effective planning, development and operation of science and technology parks."

Daedeok Innopolis has operated in Korea for 30 years.

The MoU will include an exchange of information and knowledge on best practice models, reciprocal delegation visits and meetings, access to facilities at both parks and exchange speaker arrangements at relevant events.

Mr Logan said the State Government was excited by the agreement and looking to develop opportunities for collaboration between both parks.

"This is a great opportunity for both parks to learn from each other," he said.

"It is also good news for the State Government because it will allow us to establish links and good relations with Korean industry."

The signing follows Premier Alan Carpenter's visit to Korea earlier in the month when he met with Daedeok Innopolis officials and indicated his support for an agreement between the two technology parks.