The Botswana Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) is tasked with, among other activities, the facilitation of technology transfer in Botswana. In catalysing the establishment of technology transfer offices (TTOs) in various public research institutions in Botswana, the HRDC would like to ensure that the TTOs are manned by appropriately trained personnel.
The HRDC has partnered with the Southern African Research and Innovation Management Association (SARIMA), whereby SARIMA has prepared and will deliver a bespoke programme for the training of personnel involved in establishing technology transfer functions at various institutions in Botswana.
The programme includes a number of interventions aimed at providing theoretical knowledge, practical and experiential training on Intellectual Property (IP), Technology Transfer (TT) and establishing a TTO with the following objectives:
- increase the participants’ awareness and knowledge of IP management and TT
- equip the participants with the know-how to establish TT function at institutions through sharing of knowledge, experience and learnings from South African TTOs
- provide direct support and assistance to organisations with the establishment and enhancement of their TT functions, applying international best practices
- provide practical training on and recommendations for the management and commercialisation of selected technologies developed at participating institutions
- capacitate institutions to compete for international grants and effectively manage the grants once awarded, and
- establish and maintain networks of individuals and institutions aimed at sharing knowledge, experience and expertise in the innovation space
Delivered by SARIMA, the programme entails the following eight learning units of in-person and virtual training workshops:
- Overview of Innovation and Technology Transfer and establishment of a TTO
- Policies to support Technology Transfer – Intellectual Property Protection and the institutional IP policy
- Managing and evaluating IP disclosures
- Undertaking Market Assessment
- Marketing of the TTO and the Technologies
- Commercalisation – licensing
- Commercalisation – Start-up creation
- IP Valuation
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