Technology Transfer in Action in Southern Africa

Empowering Southern African Tech Transfer: WIPO's On-the-Job Training Program

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), in collaboration with the Southern African Research & Innovation Management Association (SARIMA), the Japan Patent Office (JPO), and South Africa’s National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO), successfully concluded the "Technology Transfer On-the-Job Training Program" (OTJ). This pioneering initiative, designed to enhance technology transfer (TT) within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, serves as a practical and impactful example of technology transfer in action.

The Program provided 12 selected TT practitioners from Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, with an invaluable 8-week experience in South Africa. Working closely with experienced TT professionals at South African Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs), participants gained firsthand insights into the daily operations and strategies of successful TTOs at universities like North-West University, Stellenbosch University, University of Cape Town, University of Johannesburg, University of South Africa, and University of the Western Cape.

The effectiveness of the program is largely attributed to the commitment of the South African host TTOs, as they generously shared their time and expertise. Beyond training, the initiative fostered a collaborative community among participants, encouraging networking with peers and stakeholders. Now equipped with enriched expertise, participants are ready to apply their knowledge to enhance TT functions within their home institutions.

It's crucial to highlight two significant facets of the initiative moving forward:

• Replication: First, there is definite interest in exploring the potential to replicate this OTJ training model to other contexts and regions, with the aim of enhancing TT skills and ecosystems on a global scale.
• TTO Network: Second, the overarching goal is to foster a lasting community where participants can rely on each other for guidance, resources, and collaboration long after the program's conclusion. To achieve this, efforts are underway to introduce a mentoring program and an online TTO networking platform, modeled after the WIPO TISC platform.

Let’s celebrate the success of this initiative and explore the practical outcomes of the OTJ through an exclusive video presentation, featuring feedback from SADC participants.

Here at LUANAR, we are making notable progress in the area of Technology Transfer. We have successfully established a Technology Transfer Committee, which is performing well so far. We have received several disclosures that I am currently managing, and it already feels incredibly rewarding! Although there is still much work ahead, I am confident that, with time, we will be able to achieve even more.
Indeed, technology transfer is a lifelong journey, and continuous learning is essential. I am pleased to share that, inspired by WIPO’s On-the-Job Training Program, I have decided to fully immerse myself in the field. Consequently, I enrolled in the WIPO Academy’s Master’s program in Intellectual Property (MIP) at Africa University. I have completed the Distance Learning phase and am currently attending the residential phase in Mutare, Zimbabwe.
I am very optimistic about the future of technology transfer at LUANAR and in Malawi. My experience with WIPO and University of Cape Town remains one of the most significant moments in my career journey thus far.

Chrispin Kaphaika
Technology Transfer Office, Directorate of Research and Outreach
Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR)