vist our webpage Economic development is not possible in the absence of a well-concerted, inclusive, endogenous and fair research system as a fundamental infrastructure. The world has already learned about the effective role of independent and self-reliant businesses and research institutions active in different arenas. One of the modern strategies adopted to eliminate obstacles and impediments to the development of such businesses and institutions has been the initiative of creating science parks and towns. The idea of science parks and towns as modern scientific structures dates back to the 1960s. Economic recession, reduced income, and rising unemployment in the 1980s has been effective in the development of this idea. Concentration in some south eastern Asian countries of certain areas of the international market can be accounted for by the activity of science and research parks and towns in these regions. Organized strategies to facilitate innovations of different kinds in research-based production areas are among the features of science parks. Today, research towns and parks are regarded as new idea and are entrusted with the chief task of technology development and creation of a suitable environment to foster innovations, and employ the creative scientific and research potentials of universities, public and private research institutions, and owners of industries. In 1993, the institutionalization of this international movement caught the attention of a number of researchers, industrialists, and executives in Isfahan Province, and ISTT"s foundations began to take shape. Following are ISTT"s activities, a decade after it began to operate. ISTT Central Office: Isfahan Science & Technology Town, Isfahan University of Technology Blvd, Isfahan, IRAN P.O.Box: 84155/ 666 Tel: +98 31 33865355, +98 31 33865455 Fax: +98 31 33871472 Website: www.istt.ir E-mail: international.affairs@istt.org www.istt.ir