The Department of Science and Innovation is seeking to boost socio-economic development in South Africa through its use of Intellectual Property and Technology empowers to African youth.
In it’s latest release, the department is inviting university students and young professionals from different countries to gather at University of the North, Turfloop Campus to attend the 2-week World Intellectual Property Organization -South Africa (WIPO-SA) Summer School on Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer.
The Summer School as stated in the release will run from 20 November – 2 December 2023, is an annual workshop organised by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) through its National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO) in collaboration with WIPO, Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), Japan Patent Office and the University of Limpopo as the host.
The 2023 edition to be held under the theme “Intellectual Property Uniting Africa”, aims to provide an opportunity for participants to acquire a deeper knowledge of intellectual property and technology transfer and how they can be used as a tool for sustainable development.
Through its Programmes (Administration; Technology Innovation; International Cooperation and Resources; Research Development and Support; and Socio-economic Innovation Partnerships) and several entities that work alongside it, the Department is accomplishing groundbreaking science and enhancing the well-being of all South Africans.
WIPO has awarded bursaries to 20 international participants from developing countries, mainly from the African region and 5 South African participants. The DSI, through NIPMO, also awarded partial bursaries to 8 local participants.
Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Limpopo, Prof. Mahlo Mokgalong, WIPO Academy’s Acting Head of Academic Institutions Program, Ms Martha Chikowore, DSI’s Head of NIPMO, Ms Jetane Charsley, CIPC’s Commissioner, Rory Voller and Embassy of Japan in SA’s Mr Tasuku Nakanishi will address the official opening on 20 November 2023.
Other speakers and moderators of the event are drawn from a wider network within the National System of Innovation (NSI) and other relevant bodies, and they include Small and Micro Enterprise (SME) incubators, industry, private law firms, public officials, higher education institutions, Southern African Development Community (SADC), the DSI, Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) and international organisations.
Credit: SpaceWatch Africa
