The first IP Roving Seminar for Academic and Research Institutions this year is being held at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) based in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe from 26-27 March, 2018.
The seminar on the theme “Fostering Creativity and Innovation for Economic Growth and Development in Africa” is a continuation of the roving seminars on IP organized by the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) targeting institutions of higher learning in its member states.
“Science, technology and innovation are indispensable for social and economic development. In modern economies innovation is a source of ever increasing productivity and therefore rising wages and incomes, “noted Dr. E. Mtetwa, the Director of TechnoPark at NUST.
“We are delighted to host this seminar at NUST. This is a sign of our quest to improve academic research and innovation as well as build a knowledge-based economy in Zimbabwe,” added Dr. Mtetwa. He made opening remarks on behalf of the Acting-Vice Chancellor of NUST, Professor Samson Sibanda.
Last year, four seminars were conducted in partnership with Universities in Sierra Leone, Zambia, Swaziland and Rwanda. This year they will be conducted in Zimbabwe, Liberia, Kenya, Mozambique and Namibia.
According to the ARIPO Director General, Mr. Fernando dos Santos, this seminar is intended to enhance IP awareness in Academic and Research Institutions with a view to promoting the creation, protection and utilization of research results using IP tools for the economic and technological development.
“We are aware that there is a lot of creativity and innovation going on in our Academic and Research Institutions yet the benefits of this creativity, innovation and inventiveness may not be fully realized or adequately rewarded. This happens due to lack of awareness on the important role that IP plays in rewarding and promoting creativity and innovation,” added Mr. Dos Santos
The seminar which concludes on 27 March was organized in partnership with the Zimbabwe Intellectual Property Organization and the NUST TechnoPark department.
