Researchers get the glimpse of technology transfer during intellectual property workshop
Every year on April 26, the world celebrates World Intellectual Property Day to learn about the role that intellectual property (IP) rights play in encouraging innovation and creativity. The Directorate of Research and Innovation at the University of Venda (UNIVEN) celebrated this day with a workshop that was held on 29 April 2019 at the University’s Research Conference Centre under the theme ‘promoting research and innovation to its pole position’. The aim of this workshop was indeed to promote research and innovation as motivational speakers from different organisations were invited to motivate and educate Univen researchers.
Attendees of the workshop posing for a group photo outside Research Conference Centre
The workshop was opened by UNIVEN OTT Coordinator, Mr. Thabo Lebelo with a welcoming and introduction of visitors. Mr. Lebelo explained the rationale for a University IP policy relates to the creation of clarity pertaining to matters of IP of the likes of IP disclosure, IP ownership, IP commercialisation and benefit sharing for IP creators/inventors. He said these matters are in connection with research and development activities undertaken using public funds within a university or Science council. Mr. Lebelo was followed by Ms. Mantwa Kgarume from National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO) who took the audience through NIPMO’s funds and incentive management. Ms. Kgarume was then followed by a talk by Mr. Charks Matlala from Altis Biologics. Mr. Matlala shared with the audience, a case example of the successful commercialization of a university research.
Workshop facilitators with Dr Nkosinathi Sotshangane (far left) and Mr. Thabo Lebelo and with them in the front row are Mr. Charks Matlala (Altisbiologics), Mr. Linda Dhladhla (EDHE), Ms. Tshembani Khupane (TIA), Mrs. Naomi Aphane (NIMPO), Dr. Noluthando Netnou-Nkoana (Daff), Mrs. Mantwa Kgarume (NIMPO), Mr. Gregory Khoza (CIPC)and in the back row from right to left are Mr. Solly Khoza (CIPC), Mr. Thihangwi Mudzanani (DST) and Ms. Khavhatondwi Netshiheni (PhD candidate-UNIVEN)
Mr. Linda Dhladhla from Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) talked about the role of entrepreneurship in Higher Education while Ms. Tshembani Khupane from Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) addressed matters relating to TIA funding innovation towards commercialization. Dr Noluthando Netnou Nkoana from Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) spoke about Protection of new plant varieties and the plant breeders’ rights system in South Africa. The workshop was summed up by Ms. Jelka Monyela from National Research Foundation (NRF) who spoke about NRF ratings and Mr. Gregory Khoza from CIPC with some explanations and clarities on Intellectual Property.
The workshop was also attended by representatives from Vhembe TVET College and UIGC staff members.
According to World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Director General, Francis Gurry on WIPO website, Intellectual property rights underlie and empower the financial model of all sporting events worldwide. Intellectual Property (IP) rights lie at the heart of the global sports ecosystem and all the commercial relationships that make-sports happen and that allow people to tune in to sporting action whenever, wherever, and however we want.
This year’s World Intellectual Property Day campaign celebrates the positive role that intellectual property plays in encouraging sports, a wonderful range of pursuits in which human beings have always engaged and which enrich our lives in so many ways.
Issued by:
Department of Communications & Marketing
University of Venda
Tel: (015) 962 8525
Date: 10 May 2019
