WIPO Seminar on Appropriate Technology The Nelson Mandela

The Government of the United Republic of
Tanzania
The Nelson Mandela
African Institution of Science and Technology
WIPO Seminar on Appropriate Technology
@
The Nelson Mandela
African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST)
August 11-12, 2016
Implementation Report
By Dr. Eliamani Laltaika
Intellectual Property Coordinator
NM-AIST
1
Table of Contents
1.
Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 3
2.
Official Opening by HE Ambassador Mero ......................................................................... 4
3.
Presentations ...................................................................................................................... 6
4.
3.1.
Mr. Kifle Shenkoru ......................................................................................................... 6
3.2
Prof. Mohamed Sharif ..................................................................................................... 7
3.3.
Dr. Georges Shemdoe ...................................................................................................... 7
3.4.
Prof. Maurice Bourquin .................................................................................................. 8
3.5.
Prof. Karoli Njau and Dr. Eliamani Laltaika ..................................................................... 9
General Discussions of the Way forward ...........................................................................10
5. Acknowledgemet ..................................................................................................................12
Appendix 1. Welcoming Remarks by the Vice Chancellor ........................................................13
Appendix 2. List of Participants ...............................................................................................15
Appendix 3. Programme ...........................................................................................................16
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1. Introduction
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is the UN Agency
responsible for promoting innovation and creativity through among other
means, granting/registration of intellectual property rights. Through its
Department for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) the WIPO conducts
capacity building workshops to member countries aimed streamlining
development issues with IP as well as catalyzing innovation and creativity.
This brief report is on one of such capacity building seminars that took
place at the NM-AIST August 11 and 12, 2016. The seminar brought
together both teaching and non teaching staff of the NM-AIST, selected
members of the Tanzania Law Society (the premier bar association of
Tanzania mainland) Arusha Regional Chapter, Science, Technology
Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Stakeholders, members of the
Tanzania Police Force and representatives of other higher learning
institutions in Arusha.
Presenters in the seminar included the legendary Prof. Mohamed Sharif of
Putra University in Malaysia, former President of the University of Geneva
Prof. Maurice Bourquin, Director of WIPO Mr. Kifle Shenkoru and
Tanzania’s expert in Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer issues
Dr. Georges Shemdoe.
Courtesy call to the Vice Chancellor’s Office
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2. Official Opening by HE Ambassador Mero
The Seminar was preceded by an official opening ceremony graced by His
Excellency Mr. Modest Jonathan Mero, Ambassador, Permanent
Representative of the Permanent Mission of the United Republic of
Tanzania to the United Nations Office and other international
organizations in Geneva. HE Mero used the opportunity to talk to
members of the NM-AIST and Tanzanians in general on a number of issues
pertaining to creativity, innovation, competitiveness and protection of
intellectual property rights.
In his opening speech, HE Mero emphasized on the following
 Innovation as the engine of economic growth and importance of protecting
intellectual property rights
HE Amb. Mero informed members of the NM-AIST that innovation at all
levels continues to be the engine and driving force for economic growth
worldwide. He explained that complexities of innovation and the value
attached to intangible assets have made intellectual property rights more
valuable that the physical goods they represent or produced by their
respective companies. HE Mero further informed the meeting that for a
long time, academics in the South have not benefited from their research
due to lack of awareness of intellectual property rights.
HE Amb. Mero challenged the NM-AIST to take the lead in creating awareness on
IPRs to other institutions of higher learning in Tanzania and regionally. He
explained that in his capacity as Tanzania’s ambassador to UN
organizations in Geneva, he has entered into MoU’s with a number of such
organizations for assisting Tanzania to realize its developmental
aspirations.
 Business as usual as an enemy of progress
HE Amb. Mero used the occasion to speak to Tanzanians in general against
complacency and business as usual in their work places. HE Amb. Mero
told Professors to go beyond publishing papers and leave them in the
shelves without practical value to the community.
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HE Amb. Mero challenges the NM-AIST to lay down strategies to ensure
the knowledge produced in the university actually reaches the community
and the market in form of its products, processes and patents.
 The future of nuclear technology
HE Amb. Mero was of the opinion that economic competitiveness is by and
large dependent on energy security. He explained that the fast growing
economy of Tanzania requires sufficient electricity and that Nuclear energy
should be seen as an opportunity for future growth.
HE Amb. Mero challenged the NM-AIST to start offering degrees in
Nuclear Science and Engineering to ensure the country positions itself to
benefit from the abundance of uranium in its territory.
HE Ambassador Mero addressing members of the NM-AIST and other stakeholders
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Presentations
The seminar attracted highly knowledgeable and respected presenters and
each one of them challenged members of the NM-AIST and participants of
the seminar in general to go beyond the ordinary. Herein below are
highlights of the presentations that gave rise to deliberations and
recommendations discussed in number 4 bellow.
2.1. Mr. Kifle Shenkoru
The presenter introduced the WIPO and its role in promoting innovation
and creativity through protection of intellectual property rights. Mr.
Shenkoru explained that Tanzania is a member of the WIPO and has been
on the front line in issues championed by WIPO including implementation
of the WIPO development agenda through establishment of technology
transfer centers.
Mr. Kifle Shenkoru
The presenters challenged members of the NM-AIST to take advantage
of online courses offered by the WIPO Academy to learn more about IP
protection. He explained that it is becoming a prerequisite for awardees of
WIPO scholarships to have had WIPO courses.
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3.2 Prof. Mohamed Sharif
In his several presentations the presenter emphasized on the importance of
innovation and investment in R&D for economic growth. Citing Ghana and
Malaysia as examples, the presenter informed participants that Malaysia
obtained palm tree seedlings from Ghana in the early 1960’s but now
Malaysia world leader in oil palm and rubber related materials. The reason
he gave are investment in R&D and protection of IPRs by Universities and
other government organs.
Prof. Mohamed Sharif
The presenter challenged members of the NM-AIST to learn from
experiences of Putra University in laying down clear policies for
encouraging innovation among students and staff. He further challenged
seminar participants to make use of patent information freely available on
the internet for enhancing their research and innovation.
3.3. Dr. Georges Shemdoe
The presenter made two presentations the first on implementation of the
WIPO development Agenda in Tanzania and the second cooperation
between universities and public/private sector for technological capacity
building in Tanzania.
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Dr. Georges Shemdoe
The presenter challenges the NM-AIST to enhance cooperation with the
private sector in solving societal problems through research and
technology transfer.
3.4.
Prof. Maurice Bourquin
Citing examples from his previous engagements as President of the
University of Geneva and Chair of the European Nuclear Energy Research
Center, the presenter spoke on cooperation between universities, research
institutions and international organizations for transfer of technology.
The presenter challenged members of the NM-AIST to be proactive in
cooperating with institutions in Europe and other parts of the world on
emerging areas of research in science and technology. Specifically, the
presenter challenged NM-AIST management to inquire from Dr. Pierre
WILLA, Director of International Relations Office of the University of
Geneva [email protected] possible areas of cooperation in teaching and
research.
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3.5.
Prof. Karoli Njau and Dr. Eliamani Laltaika
Earlier on after the official opening, two presentations were made by
members of the NM-AIST namely Prof. Karoli Njau Acting Deputy Vice
Chancellor for Academic, Research and Innovation (DVC-ARI) and Dr.
Eliamani Laltaika Intellectual Property Coordinator. On his part, Prof. Njau
informed workshop participants that the NM-AIST is positioned to train
the next generation of African technoprenures, industry captains and
cutting edge scientists to take Africa to the next level.
Prof. Karoli Njau (left) and Dr. Laltaika (right)
The Coordinator of Intellectual Property Dr. Eliamani Laltaika provided a
historical backdrop to the relationship between WIPO and the NM-AIST.
He explained that that the WIPO had hired a consultant from South Africa
Prof. Julian Kinderlerer to assist the NM-AIST develop Masters and PhD
curriculum in Intellectual Property and Technology Management (IP-TM).
The presenter also informed seminar participants that the WIPO has
selected the NM-AIST to host the forthcoming WIPO-SIDA follow up
training and Advisory Programme on IPRs in the Global Economy for
LDCs Nov. 13th to 18th 2016.
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4.
General Discussions of the Way forward
The last segment of the two days seminar was a general discussion on the
way forward for technological capacity building in the use of appropriate
technology as a solution for identified development challenges in Tanzania.
The following points were raised and deliberated upon.
 The importance of and access to patent information: seminar
participants realized that patent information offers a valuable source
of data and insights on all areas of technology. It was proposed that
NM-AIST students be taught how to access patent information
(patent search) as a part of their research methodology training.
 Use of patents for promotion criteria: learning from Putra University
where obtaining a patent is equated to publishing a paper in a peer
reviewed journal, participants proposed that the NM-AIST revises its
promotion criteria to encourage creativity and innovation.
 WIPO online courses on IP: participants agreed to increase their
knowledge on IP issues in general by exploring the online courses
discussed earlier on in the seminar.
Group photo of participants shortly before the end of the seminar
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5. Concluding Remarks
As highlighted by the Acting Vice Chancellor in his welcoming remarks,
this two days’ seminar on appropriate technology has been one of the most
relevant trainings conducted at the institution for a long time. The seminar
was an eye opener to participants and each one of them was challenged to
think more, do more and be more. During the Seminar a number of
challenges were raised including the following.






NM-AIST to take the lead in creating awareness on IPRs to other
institutions of higher learning in Tanzania and regionally.
NM-AIST to lay down strategies to ensure the knowledge produced
in the university actually reaches the community and the market in
the form of products processes and patents.
NM-AIST to start offering degrees in Nuclear Science and
Engineering
NM-AIST to take advantage of online courses offered by the WIPO
NM-AIST to learn from experiences of Putra University in laying
down clear policies for encouraging innovation among students and
staff.
NM-AIST to enhance cooperation with the private sector
There is a Kiswahili saying that goes “Mgeni aje, mwenyeji apone” which can
be translated: When a visitor comes, he brings relief to those he visits. In
addition to the above challenges HE Amb. Mero also promised to continue
supporting the NM-AIST by soliciting assistance from other partners to
enable the NM-AIST meet its objectives. The ambassador invited the NMIST to provide him with a comprehensive needs assessment for capacity
building in such areas as Nuclear Energy.
The Seminar has also been a “warm up” exercise for the NM-AIST to host
the forthcoming WIPO-SIDA follow up training and Advisory Programme
on IPRs in the Global Economy for LDCs Nov. 13th to 18th 2016.
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5. Acknowledgemet
This seminar would not have been possible without cooperation between
the government of Tanzania and the World Intellectual Property
Organization. To this end, the Acting Vice Chancellor of the NM-AIST
wishes to thank HE Amb. Jonathan Mero, Ambassador, Permanent
Representative of the Permanent Mission of the United Republic of
Tanzania to the United Nations Office and other international
organizations in Geneva, Director General of WIPO Francis Gurry, Kifle
Shenkoru, Director Division of Least Developed Countries of WIPO and
NM-AIST staff who worked tirelessly to organize the seminar.
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Appendix 1. Welcoming Remarks by the Vice Chancellor
Welcoming Remarks by the Acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Osmund Kaunde
Prof. Osmond Kaunde Ag. VC of NM-AIST
1. Your Excellency Mr. Modest Jonathan Mero, Ambassador, Permanent
Representative of the Permanent Mission of the United Republic of Tanzania to
the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva,
Mr. Kifle Shenkoru, Director, Division for Least Developed Countries, World
Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Our distinguished speakers Dr.
Mohamed Shariff Bin Mohamed Din and Dr. Georges Shemdoe, Fellow Members
of the NM-AIST, staff and students, Invited guests, ladies and gentlemen, Good
morning!
2. It is with great honor and pleasure that I take this opportunity to welcome you
all to Arusha and to the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and
Technology.
As some of you are aware, The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science
and Technology (NM-AIST) was established in 2009 under the Tanzania’s
University Act, 2005. It is one in a network of Pan-African Institutes of Science
and Technology located across the continent.
3. The African Institutes of Science and Technology (AIST) concept was conceived
by the former South African President Nelson Mandela as a mechanism to
develop the next generation of African scientists, engineers and technologists,
who will impact on the continent’s development through the application of
science, engineering and technology (SET).
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4. The NM-AIST aims to become a research-one institution and this is reflected in
the objectives of the University as well as the vision and mission as stated in the
Institution charter.
5. To achieve in Science, Engineering and Technology, different researches into
different scientific disciplines have to be done extensively to generate the
knowledge base and justification for every endeavor in technology transfer.
6. The WIPO Seminar on appropriate technology fits in very well with our mission,
vision and strategic direction. It is in this regard that I thank the WIPO, Amb.
Modest Jonathan Mero and the government of Tanzania in general for this
privilege. There is no doubt that my predecessor Prof. Burton Mwamila,
founding Vice Chancellor of the NM-AIST worked very hard to ensure that this
seminar becomes a success. I thank him too along with other NM-AIST staff.
7. I know some of you may want to hear more about the NM-AIST and how we
have managed to become one of the leading higher learning institutions in the
continent. My colleagues Prof. Karoli Njau Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor for
Academic Research and Innovation (DVC-ARI) and Dr. Eliamani Laltaika
Intellectual Property Rights Coordinator will, later on in the programme,
enlighten us more on institutional aspects of the NM-AIST and the current status
of IPRs respectively.
8. With these few remarks, ladies and gentlemen, allow me to invite his Excellency
Mr. Modest Jonathan Mero, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the
Permanent Mission of the United Republic of Tanzania to the United Nations
Office and other international organizations in Geneva to come and give a key
note address and officially open our seminar.
Prof. Osmond Kaunde
Ag. Vice Chancellor
The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology NM-AIST
11. August. 2016
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Appendix 2. List of Participants
WIPO Seminar on Appropriate Technology with the Nelson Mandela African
Institution of Science and Technology 11th and 12th August 2016
List of Participants
1. Emmanuel Munishi
2. Jackson Ally
3. Peter R. Mashingo
4. Clara Molay
5. Firmin Nguma
6. Regina Shirima
7. David Elias
8. William Ernest
9. Arnold G. Laizer
10. Gabriel C. Malima
11. Anilinda Augustino
12. Lotaanywaki E. Memiri
13. Naziel Eliakimu
14. Julius M. Lenguyana
15. Gloriana J. Monko
16. Mahene Wilson Leonidas
17. Anthony Kazikold
18. Dr. Emanuel Mpolya
19. Dr. Neema Kassim
20. Emanuel Kisongo John
21. Jumanne M. Mkwama
22. Ally Said Babu
23. Suzan Joseph Kessy
24. Beatrice Marandu
25. Dr. Eliamani Isaya Laltaika
26. Dr. Sameer Hamier
27. Richard Kipuyo
28. Dr. Ahmad Hussein Kipacha
29. Grite Nelson
30. Dr. Shubi Kaijage
31. Monika Kayesu
32. Ibrahim Fanuel
33. Emanuel S. Mollel
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Appendix 3. Programme
E
GOVERNMENT OF THE
UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA
THE NELSON MANDELA AFRICAN
INSTITUTION OF SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY (NM-AIST)
NATIONAL MEETING
WIPO/LDCS/ARK/16/INF/1 PROV.
ORIGINAL: ENGLISH
DATE: JULY 21, 2016
Meeting on Appropriate Technology: Access to Scientific and
Technical Information for Technological Capacity Building:
Meeting with the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and
Technology (NM-AIST)
organized by
the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
in cooperation with
the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania
and
The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST)
Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania, August 11 and 12, 2016
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PROVISIONAL PROGRAM
prepared by the International Bureau of WIPO
Thursday, August 11, 2016
9.30 – 10.00
10.00 – 10.15
Registration
Opening Ceremony
Welcome addresses by:
The representative of the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania,
Dar es Salaam
His Excellency Mr. Modest Jonathan Mero, Ambassador, Permanent
Representative of the Permanent Mission of the United Republic of Tanzania
to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva
The representative of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO),
Geneva
10.15 – 11.15
Theme 1
WIPO: An Introduction
Speaker:
11.15 – 11.30
Coffee Break
11.30 – 12.30
Theme 2
The Use of Appropriate Technology for Addressing
Development and Technology Related Needs and
Challenges
(i)
Technology and Development: Why Technology is
Important for Development?
(ii)
Why Appropriate Technology for Development?
Speaker:
Discussions
12.30 – 14.00
Lunch Break
14.00 – 15.00
Theme 3
Mr. Kifle Shenkoru, Director, Division for
Least Developed Countries, WIPO
Professor Burton Mwamila, Vice Chancellor,
The Nelson Mandela African Institution of
Science and Technology (NM-AIST), Arusha,
United Republic of Tanzania
All participants
The Intellectual Property Institutions and Systems in
Least Developed Countries (LDCs)
Speaker:
Mr. Kifle Shenkoru
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Discussions
15.00 – 15.15
Coffee Break
15.15 – 16.15
Theme 4
All participants
The Implementation of the WIPO Development Agenda
Project on Appropriate Technology in Tanzania:
Report on Need Identification and Analysis
Speaker:
16.15 – 17.00
Discussions
All participants
Theme 5
Co-operation Between the Universities and
Public/Private Sectors for Technological Capacity
Building in Tanzania
Speaker:
17.00 – 18.00
Dr. George Silas Shemdoe, Principal Research
Officer, Tanzania Commission for Science and
Technology (COSTECH), Dar es Salaam
Dr. George Silas Shemdoe
Discussions
All participants
Theme 6
Using Intellectual Property for Economic Growth and
Development
(i)
The role of industrial property with emphasis on patent
information for national technological capacity building
Speaker:
Discussions
Dr. Mohamed Shariff Bin Mohamed Din,
Advisor on Intellectual Property (IP) and
Technology Transfer, Putra Science Park,
University Putra Malaysia (UPM), Selangor,
Malaysia
All participants
Friday, August 12, 2016
9.30 – 10.30
Theme 6
(Cont’d)
Using Intellectual Property for Economic Growth and
Development
(ii)
Access to and use of patent information for transfer of
technology
Speaker:
Discussions
Dr. Mohamed Shariff Bin Mohamed Din
All participants
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10.30 – 10.45
Coffee Break
10.45 – 11.45
Theme 7
Why Intellectual Property is so Important for the
Technological Development of the Least Developed
Countries (LDCs)
(i)
The experience of Malaysia on the use of patent
information for technological capacity building
Speaker:
11.45 – 12.30
Dr. Mohamed Shariff Bin Mohamed Din
Discussions
All participants
Theme 7
(Cont’d)
Why Intellectual Property is so Important for the
Technological Development of the Least Developed
Countries (LDCs)
(ii) The experience of Malaysia on the transfer,
development and adaptation of technology
Speaker:
Discussions
12.30 – 14.00
Lunch Break
14.00 – 14.45
Theme 8
All participants
Cooperation Between Universities, Research Institutions
and International Organizations for Transfer of
Technology
Speaker:
14.45 – 15.30
Dr. Mohamed Shariff Bin Mohamed Din
Professor Maurice Bourquin, Former President
of the University of Geneva, Geneva
Discussions
All participants
Theme 9
The European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN)
and WIPO Cooperation for Transfer of Technology for
the Least Developed Countries (LDCs)
Speaker:
Discussions
15.30 – 15.45
Coffee Break
15.45 – 16.30
Theme 10
Professor Maurice Bourquin
All participants
General Discussions on the Way Forward for
Technological Capacity-Building in the Use of
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Appropriate Technology-Specific Technical and
Scientific Information as a Solution for Identified
Development Challenges in Tanzania
Moderator:
16.30 – 17.00
WIPO
Conclusions and Recommendations
Discussions
All participants
[End of document]
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