Manchester Science Parks has been presented with a commemorative 25th anniversary medal from the International Association of Science Parks.

Jane Davies, CEO of Manchester Science Parks (msp) received the medal last week at the International Association of Science Parks (IASP) World Conference, which was held at the famous Research Triangle Park in North Carolina, USA.

IASP presented commemorative medals to science parks from around the world which are 25 years or older in 2009 as part of its own 25th anniversary and the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Research Triangle Park.

Ms Davies, who received the award from Joan Bellavista, IASP President, at a gala dinner on the Wednesday evening, commented “It was an honour to receive the medal on behalf of Manchester Science Parks.

“It was particularly fitting to receive the medal at the Research Triangle Park as it was during a visit here that Robin Skelton, who became the first Chairman of msp, had the idea for what would become Manchester’s science park.

“Today, 25 years later, Manchester Science Parks is recognised as one of the leading science parks in the UK and a vital component of the city region’s knowledge economy,” stated Ms Davies.

msp was also one of the founding members of the UK Science Park Association (UKSPA), a nationwide organisation set up in 1984 to support the increasing community of science parks in the UK.

Both msp and UKSPA will celebrate their 25th anniversaries during the UKSPA Anniversary Meeting and Conference, a prestigious, three-day innovation event to be hosted by msp in Manchester from September 16th to 18th this year.

The conference, to be held at University Place on Oxford Road, will include two high profile evening events: a Civic Reception at Manchester’s Town Hall on Wednesday, September 16th, and a black tie Gala Awards Dinner at Manchester’s Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) on Thursday, September 17th.

Find out more about the UKSPA 25th Anniversary Meeting and Conference at www.ukspaevents.org.uk

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Picture caption: CEO of Manchester Science Parks, Jane Davies, pictured with Joan Bellavista, President of IASP, at the XXVI IASP World Conference.