An Intellectual Property (IP) Project focuses on managing and protecting intangible assets like patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. It typically involves activities such as creating awareness about IP rights, conducting IP audits, advising on IP registration processes, and enforcing IP protection to safeguard innovations and creative works.
1. IP, Technology Transfer, and Commercialization
The Scinnovent Centre under Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) organized specialized training on “IP, Tech Transfer, and Commercialization” during the Annual Regional Meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in June 2019. The training aimed to enhance the capacity of Councils to facilitate collaborative partnerships and promote technology transfer between research institutions and the private sector.
The SGCI’s training program sought to address critical gaps in IP awareness and technology transfer infrastructure. By focusing on institutional policies, commercialization pathways, and the role of TTOs/IPMOs, the initiative aimed to strengthen the capacity of Science Granting Councils and their partners to foster successful public-private partnerships and enhance the impact of research and innovation.
2. IP Audit ,Technology Transfer, and Commercialization
Mombasa, Kenya – From October 16-20, 2023, the Scinnovent Centre, in collaboration with the Association of African Universities (AAU) and the ATDF Entrepreneurship Hub (AEH), hosted a pivotal three-day workshop aimed at enhancing the intellectual property (IP), technology transfer, and commercialization capabilities of Science Granting Councils (SGCs) across Africa. The training, held in Mombasa, Kenya, brought together 31 participants from 12 African countries, marking a significant step toward strengthening the integration of research and industry on the continent.
Participants included representatives from SGCs in Botswana, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. One key take away from the workshop was the need for SGCs to develop competencies in conducting IP audits. These audits are essential for identifying valuable IP within research projects and ensuring that is protected and effectively transferred to industry partners.
3. IP Policy and Strategy
Lilongwe, Malawi – From August 26-30, 2024, a landmark training workshop was held in Lilongwe, Malawi, focused on empowering Science Granting Councils (SGCs) across Africa with the tools necessary for developing robust institutional intellectual property (IP) policies and strategies. Organized by the Scinnovent Centre in collaboration with the Association of African Universities (AAU) and the National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST) Malawi, the five-day workshop brought together 33 participants from 12 African nations, including Malawi, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Zambia. These participants, all from leading SGCs, brought a wealth of experience to the table, sharing insights on IP management and discussing challenges and opportunities for fostering private sector engagement in their countries.
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