Training on intellectual property and technology transfer in Ethiopia conducted at Haramaya University from November 15 to 16, 2021 at the University’s Resource Center CBE Computer Room.
The University-Industry Linkage and Entrepreneurship Development Directorate in collaboration with the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Authority (EIPA) conducted a two-day awareness creation training on intellectual property and technology transfer.
Dr. Yishak Yusuf, Vice President for Community Engagement and Enterprise Development of the University, in his opening speech emphasized that the training was aimed at creating awareness on how to find patent information as well as how academic and research staff and students can access intellectual property information and transfer of technologies to end users so as to commercialize their research and innovation outputs.
Dr. Yesihak added that although there are many innovations and research projects in the University, they have not been properly delivered to the community. He said the training was designed to introduce academic staff and researchers to the ways in which their innovations can benefit the University and the country as well as the users.
One of the trainer, Mr. Paulos Dawit, Coordinator of the National Technology and Innovation Support Center and Traditional Medical Knowledge Team leader, on his part said that the collection, organization, dissemination and distribution of patent information technology to the public will enable the public to acquire intellectual property rights.
He also emphasized that it is important to develop awareness to the wider community about intellectual property and technology transfer to encourage innovation and generation of technologies.
Intangible assets are vulnerable to theft and crime, and intellectual property protection is essential to prevent such mischief. He also said this training can give the trainees an idea of how to prove ownership of intellectual property.
Haramaya University, as one of the leading universities in the country, has been allocating large sums of budget every year to undertake problem-solving research and knowledge transfer, and is working to support the idea of sustainable entrepreneurship.
Dr. Mitiku Eshetu, University-Industry Linkage and Entrepreneurship Development Directorate Director, said that although the University has conducted a number of research and innovation activities, it does not get intellectual property protection for majority of its research and innovation out puts.
