by Vukosi Mathale
The North-West University (NWU) has taken significant steps to foster innovation and bring research breakthroughs to the market. Central to this effort is the Technology Transfer and Innovation Support (TTIS) Office.
The role of TTIS is to help researchers translate their academic research into practical solutions that have a societal impact. Researchers who believe that their research outputs have the potential to extend beyond the university, should submit an intellectual property (IP) disclosure to the TTIS.
The IP disclosure marks the inception of the technology transfer journey, during which the TTIS endeavours to bridge the innovation gap from university-based concepts to market-ready products and services. It contains crucial information about the research outputs or innovative ideas, including technology descriptions, benefits and potential applications.
TTIS uses this information to assess market viability and recommend strategies for IP protection, ensuring that researchers can disseminate their findings while safeguarding patent prospects. TTIS encourages early engagement, urging researchers to seek guidance during the conceptual phase for a comprehensive commercialisation analysis.
Dr Janine Chantson, TTIS chief director, encourages researchers to extend their focus beyond the laboratory. "The broader public stands to gain significantly when groundbreaking products emerge from university research initiatives."
Acknowledging that the journey from invention to marketable product often necessitates patent protection, she emphasises the viability of coexisting patenting and publishing, urging researchers to carefully navigate the timing of these crucial steps. She suggests that a strategic balance between disseminating knowledge through publications and patenting can amplify the societal impact of research endeavours.
Prof Jeffrey Mphahlele, deputy vice-chancellor for research and innovation, encourages researchers to submit disclosures to TTIS, emphasising their role in assessing the institution's potential for new patents and commercialisation. This aligns with the NWU's Strategic Plan, which is dedicated to supporting an ecosystem conducive to the creation of intellectual property and commercialisation.
Researchers are invited to leverage the NWU Inventor Portal to initiate the commercialisation process, contributing to the university's reputation as a hub for groundbreaking research and development. With the continuous support of the TTIS office, the NWU remains at the forefront of innovation and technological advancement.
For additional details, please refer to the NWU Intellectual Property (IP) Policy and Manual.
Dr Janine Chantson is the chief director of the Technology Transfer and Innovation Support Office.
