Summer School on Intellectual Property and Transfer of Technology

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Summer School on Intellectual Property and Transfer of Technology

The Central University of Technology, Free State, (CUT) launched the 10th Summer School on Intellectual Property and Transfer Technology. The summer school began on 26 November and will end on 07 December 2018 and is hosted at CUT in partnership with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO) of the Department of Science and Technology as well as the Japan Patent Office (JPO).

The main objective of the Summer School is to provide an opportunity for university students and young professionals from the continent to acquire a deeper knowledge of Intellectual Property (IP), and how it can be used as a tool for sustainable development, as well as the role of WIPO in the administration and the provision of global IP services. It is bound to have a high impact with regards to the protection of IP on an international scale for CUT innovators, exposure to the international nature of IP protection and the interface between IP and other disciplines.

The two-week training, which will be divided into nine interactive sections, is a world-wide event that will be attended by speakers from all over the world. A broader scope on various topics will be covered and about 20 renowned experts and specialists from academia, government and industry will be presenting and debating on the issues.

The program consists of lectures, case studies, simulation exercises and group discussions on selected IP topics, with an orientation towards the interface between IP and other disciplines. A certificate of participation will be awarded to participants who successfully complete the program requirements.

In his address, Prof. Henk de Jager Vice-Chancellor and Principal said that hosting the prestigious event such as the WIPO Summer School brings new vigour towards intellectual property (IP) development in the region and its use as a tool for sustainable development.  He said that CUT seeks to consolidate its uniqueness and comparative advantage to contribute substantively to addressing the developmental needs of the Free State Province, the Central Region of South Africa and the whole African continent. “CUT is focused on quality education, applied research and innovation in the science, engineering and technology space. The days of producing graduates to become job seekers have passed. We need to produce graduates with an entrepreneurial flavour who will be the new young minds that will be able to promote the economy.”

Dr Nompumelelo Obokoh was representing Mr Rory Voller the Commissioner: Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC). In relaying his message, she said that through the collaborative partnership with NIPMO and WIPO the Summer School is rapidly recognised as an effective means of empowering students to build their knowledge of Intellectual Property with the key focus being on the transfer of technology.

“It is our strategic goal to contribute to a knowledge-based economy and competitive local industry by supporting the International IP system and to promote local innovation and creativity by maintaining an accurate and secure registry of patents, designs, film productions and creative works.  I am confident that the WIPO Summer School will provide you with a platform to engage and acquire specialised knowledge to help you add value in today’s technology-driven world.”

Mr Saadalah Sherif, Executive Director, WIPO Academy Geneva, Switzerland, Mr. Mmboneni Muofhe, Deputy Director-General: Technology Innovation; Department of Science and Technology, Pretoria, South Africa and Mr Yasushi Naito, Counsellor Head, Embassy of Japan in South Africa, Cape Town also sent their messages and wished participants success in their endeavor.

The WIPO Academy is a specialised entity for intellectual property training within WIPO. During the last year, over 45,000 participants benefited from the WIPO Academy’s Programs. The Academy delivered its training and educational programs in collaboration with IP offices and other governmental entities, universities, educational institutions and international organisations. In total, it collaborated with some 50 institutions worldwide. A record number of 193 countries took part in the WIPO Academy Programs with beneficiaries coming from all geographical regions of the world. The WIPO Summer School program is part of our work to promote a deeper and more informed understanding of the functioning of a modern and balanced IP system which could be effectively used to encourage economic, social and cultural development.

Mr Yasushi Naito, Counsellor Head from Embassy of Japan in South Africa, Cape Town said that Japan established the Japan Funds-in-Trust for Africa at the WIPO in 2008, during TICAD IV. The Trust funds for Africa are provided to support capacity building in the field of industrial property. The main purposes of the Trust funds for Africa are to raise awareness on the importance of the intellectual property systems; to support countries in establishing and enhancing laws and organisations related to the industrial property; and to develop human resources who are involved in making use of industrial property rights.

“As support for this summer school organised by the Trust fund for Africa, Japan awards a scholarship annually since 2013 to 10 selected students. This is one of the initiatives of implementing the commitment we made in 2008,” concluded Mr Naito.

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WIPO Summer School attendees from different countries who not only came to broaden their knowledge of intellectual property and technology transfer but also to network and interact with one another.

Uploaded: 29 November 2018
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