African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) has urged Universities to adopt the use of Intellectual Property (IP) with a view to developing student capacities and talents so as to support national development efforts.
Addressing stakeholders during the regional workshop on the importance of Intellectual Property management in universities, research and development institutions in Africa in Harare today, ARIPO Harare Director General Fernando dos Santos said the adoption of IP will assist in the economic development and growth.
“Today Intellectual Property has become a global tool that countries are harnessing for their economic development and growth through the conversion of the innovative and creative capacity of their people into competitive products and services.
“It is increasingly becoming apparent that only societies where such rights are effectively protected and exploited witness cultural advancement and economic progress.
“It is for this reason that we believe that one of the most effective ways of making use of IP is through Universities and Research and Developmental Institutions where a great number of our youths are pursuing different academic goals and interests with a view to developing their capacities and talents to support national development efforts,” he said.
“One interesting example of how Universities and Research Organisations can fully exploit IP from development and wealth creation is found in Finland, a small country in Scandinavia with a population of just 5.56 million inhabitants,” he said.
Speaking during the same event, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Senior Counsellor, Regional Bureau for Africa Joyce Banya spoke on the need to recognize the role of universities as the main knowledge production centers in Africa as in other continents.
“WIPO has been engaged in raising IP awareness in universities for many years since the 90s. At that time the objective was to create a solid focal point in the legal faculty which could teach IP as a legal discipline.
“The reality today is that there is need to move beyond the purely legalistic approach. One, to first recognize the role of Universities as the main knowledge production centers in Africa as in other continents.
“Two that universities must rise up to this crucial role and make greater contribution to the national economic growth and prosperity in the continent, by effectively using the IP System for their research and innovation,” she said.
The African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) is an inter-governmental organization that facilitates cooperation among member states in intellectual property matters, with the objective of pooling financial and human resources, and seeking technological advancement for economic, social, technological, scientific and industrial development.
