The 16th Summer School that MUT is hosting at Durban’s Gateway Hotel could not have come at a more opportune time for the University. Addressing attendees that included government representatives and a representative of the Embassy of Japan in South Africa, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University, Professor Nokuthula Sibiya said the 2024 WIPO SA Summer School on Intellectual Property (IP) and Technology Transfer was aligning well with the University’s forward-looking intentions. “As a university committed to innovation, MUT has taken significant strides in advancing knowledge in intellectual property (IP) management, research, and commercialisation. We believe that universities are not only places for learning, but also engines for economic development and social transformation. This Summer School aligns perfectly with our mission to drive impactful change through our research, innovations, and partnerships,” said Professor Sibiya.
From the day one of the event, planned over two weeks from 25 November to 6 December 2024, speakers in one way or the other, indicated that the Summer School was an opportunity to connect, collaborate, and inspire, the very mindset that the future needs. The Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the Institution said that throughout the two weeks, the participants would engage in discussions that not only push the boundaries of their knowledge but also prepare them for the evolving demands of the global innovation landscape. “Together, we will explore the intricacies of IP and how these fields intersect to support sustainable development,” said Professor Sibiya.
Some of the esteemed guests that are taking part in the event are Maria-Stella Ntamark, the Programme Officer for the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Academy; Jetane Charsley, the Head of the National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO) under the Department of Science and Innovation; Rolly Voller, Commissioner Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC); Sachiyo Yoshino, Director: International Co-operation Division at JPO., Embassy of Japan in South Africa. There are also participants around the globe who are joining virtually.