WIPO – South Africa Summer School Shifts Focus to IP and Public Health
December 13, 2022
WIPO in cooperation with the National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO) of the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) of the Republic of South Africa and the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission of South Africa offered a special edition of the annual WIPO – South Africa Summer School on Intellectual Property (IP) and Transfer of Technology. The special edition focused on IP and public health in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and future pandemic preparedness. The summer school was held in hybrid format at the University of Limpopo in Polokwane, South Africa from November 21 to December 2, 2022.
In-person participants at the WIPO-South Africa Summer School at the University of Limpopo (Polokwane, South Africa)
What did the special edition of the summer school cover?
A total of 114 participants from 14 countries, 74 of which joined in-person and 40 online, benefitted from interactive discussions, group work and practical lectures by IP experts from academia, the private sector and government on a range of topics such as:
- What does the fourth industrial revolution hold?;
- South Africa innovation and IP policies imperatives;
- Overview of IP and technology transfer;
- Data, artificial intelligence and IP ownership;
- Future pandemic preparedness and the role of IP;
- The practical impact of IP waivers on access to medicines;
- IP and the SDGs- how do we advance technologically in a sustainable manner?;
- Show me the money – the role of private sector funding;
- Full investment life cycle for technologies;
- An exercise on IP valuation; and
- An IP licensing and negotiating exercise.
Twenty-seven participants received scholarships to participate in the WIPO-South Africa Summer School, seven of which were covered by the Funds-In-Trust Japan Industrial Property Global. Ten scholarships were offered to South African experts working in the field of IP and public health in the framework of the WIPO COVID-19 response package. The remaining scholarship recipients were sponsored by WIPO, NIPMO through DSI, and the University of Limpopo.
What our participants are saying?
“I had expectations when I set out to the WIPO – South Africa Summer School 2022 and all I got is nothing short of that. The topics covered and the experts assembled as facilitators were top notch. Most Importantly, I saw humility in the leadership. The organizing team members made sure we enjoyed our stay in Limpopo. I was picked from a novice state to what I will call an emerging IP expert state, and the foundation will enable me to become the expert I hope to be.”
— Uchenna Okwuosa
Photo: Neo Madega
“The WIPO – South Africa Summer School is a unique opportunity for intensive learning about all things IP. The breadth and depth of subject matter covered was impressive, as were the speakers and program. Moreover, the warmth and collaboration I experienced from every one of the participants, organizers and speakers was beyond what I have ever experienced. The knowledge and contacts I gained during the course are invaluable.”
— Rona Amigues – Macrae
Photo: LALIVE