10th Anniversary of the WIPO-South Africa Summer School
December 20, 2018
The tenth edition of the WIPO-South Africa summer school program on intellectual property (IP) and transfer of technology took place at the Central University of Technology Free State (CUT) in Bloemfontein, South Africa, from November 26 to December 7, 2018, with 39 participants from 9 countries.
The annual summer school is organized in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DST), the National IP Management Office (NIPMO) and the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) of the Republic of South Africa. As in previous editions of the WIPO-South Africa summer school, the Japan Patent Office sponsored 10 participants in 2018.
What was covered by the summer school?
The short and intensive summer school program provides an opportunity for senior students at the graduate and post-graduate levels, and young professionals to acquire a deeper knowledge of the interface between IP and transfer of technology. Summer school participants benefit from discussions on IP issues pertaining to licensing negotiations through case studies and simulation exercises. The summer school program for 2018 included lectures on the following topics:
- Technological advancements – what does the fourth industrial revolution hold;
- The role of patents and know how/trade secrets in technology transfer;
- Role of trademarks in transfer of technology;
- Data, artificial intelligence and IP ownership; and
- IP and the Sustainable Development Goals – how do we advance technologically in a sustainable manner.
10th anniversary
On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the WIPO-South Africa summer school program, a WIPO-South Africa summer school alumni association was established. Nominations for members of the interim committee for the association were submitted.