Sensitization Session on Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property Rights Held for Stakeholders

The School of Agriculture (SoA) in collaboration with the Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property Services (TTIPS) team of the Office of Research Innovation and Development (ORID) has organized a sensitization workshop for students and stakeholders of the School of Agriculture. The workshop, dubbed: “Demystifying Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property at UG” sought to educate participants on the creation, development, and commercialization of intellectual property (IP) for stakeholders at the University of Ghana.  

The workshop which took place on March 16th, 2023, forms part of activities under the Institutional Framework to Enhance Agri-innovation Ecosystem project, led by Prof.  Irene Egyir, Dean (SoA). In her opening remarks, Prof. Egyir encouraged participants to explore innovative opportunities and take advantage of the services available at ORID to scale up creative ideas and to protect their intellectual property.

The Director of Research at ORID, Prof. Joseph Teye underscored the importance of technology transfer and intellectual property rights and urged participants to take the necessary steps to disclose, protect and commercialize their technological inventions. He stated that protection of IP creates opportunities for inventors to monetize their creativity and contribute to the development of the world.

 Mrs. Mammie Hutchful Nortey outlined the support provided by ORID/TTIPS to protect IP rights and navigate the commercialization process. She highlighted the benefits of UG’s engagement with industry which present opportunities for innovation to be scaled up through partnerships with industry.

Delivering her presentation on the topic “The Practical Steps to Exploiting Innovations at the University of Ghana”, Mrs. Diana Adobea Owusu Antwi highlighted the procedures available for students and researchers at SoA to take their products from the lab to the marketplace.  She also outlined the practical steps, tools, and strategies for developing, protecting, and transforming intellectual property into viable products and services.  

A member of the TTIPS team Ms. Yvonne Boatemaa-Yeboah showcased some technologies developed at UG and encouraged participants to be creative and innovative.

Ms. Claudia Abbey, a legal officer at the Office of the Legal Counsel (UG), walked participants through the legal framework governing intellectual property at UG and highlighted the salient areas of UG’s licensing agreement.

Participants were given the opportunity as ask questions and contribute to the discussion.

Prof. Egyir thanked the presenters and participants and was confident that the knowledge shared will be of immense benefit to all.

                                         A group photograph of participants