IP systems development regional workshop for universities and research institutions for Africa opens in Harare

By Wallace Mawire A two day sub-regional multi-stakeholders validation workshop on elaboration of guidelines of Intellectual property (IP) policy and strategy for an effective use of the IP system by Universities and research and development (R&D) institutions in Africa has opened in Harare today. The workshop is being hosted by the African Regional Intellectual property Organization (ARIPO) in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). According to Fernando Dos Santos, ARIPO, Director General, the validation workshop seeks to present the state of intellectual property at institutions of higher learning and to present the draft IP policy guidelines to participating countries for discussion and validation of the WIPO-ARIPO policy guidelines. The study received support from WIPO and the government of Japan. Since 2013, ARIPO has been conducting seminars to promote IP awareness with a view to enhancing the development and protection of IP. It is reported that in the last three years, the initiative has covered 15 countries and benefitted directly more than 2500 participants. It is also said that during the seminars, ARIPO realized that most of the universities and R&D institutions where more than 90% of knowledge production is done do not have IP policies. “It was also realized that despite these institutions being the hub of knowledge creation, innovation and creativity, there is low awareness of IP rights. The lack of IP awareness and policies can be attributed to the low levels of IP rights filing in Africa,” Dos Santos said. He added that to counter this, it was deemed necessary to conduct a situational analysis in some countries and establish how to attain the effective use of IP by universities and R&D institutions in Africa. Fidelis Maredza, Chief Registrar of Deeds for the Zimbabwe government said at the official opening of the regional workshop that Africa is faced with many challenges that impact negatively on creativity and innovation. He said that such challenges include lack of IP expertise, lack of relevant IP policies and legal frameworks that can incentivize researchers and inventors to be creative and innovative in generating IP. He added that such creativity and innovation can result in creating employment and businesses that contribute to economic development.