UDSM Urges UICEA Members to integrate Intellectual Property in research practices
By Special Correspondent, CMU
The University of Dar es Salaam has urged research and higher learning institutions that are members of the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) to strategically integrate Intellectual Property (IP) into research management practices.
Speaking at the IUCEA Research and Innovation Building Workshop in Nairobi, Kenya this week, the University of Dar es Salaam Chief Corporate Counsel and Secretary to Council Dr. Saudin Mwakaje said it was high time academic institutions incorporated IP issues into research activities through relevant models.
“We have presented the model IP policy structures and commercialisation options that research institutions may wish to take on board as they venture into Universities-Industries linkages”, said Dr. Mwakaje.
In this workshop, Dr. Mwakaje has presented about Intellectual Property management and technology transfer processes in higher education institutions.
The workshop was attended by university staff who are engaged in technology transfer units, intellectual property management offices and incubation centres; and representatives for national Commissions for Science, Technology and Innovation who are responsible for furthering university-industry collaboration, entrepreneurship promotion and intellectual property management.
Other participants were representatives from entrepreneurship support organisations, business associations and enterprises who are engaged in establishing collaboration with universities.
Meanwhile, Dr. Mwakaje informed workshop participants about the postgraduate programme of Masters of Intellectual Property (MIP) offered by the University of Dar es Salaam in collaboration with the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and the Business Registrations and Licensing Agency (BRELA).
“Notably, IUCEA has agreed to consider and discuss with us [the University of Dar es Salaam] on various models of support to our Masters of Intellectual Property programme”, he added.