IP and Youth: Innovating for a Better Future
The Technology and Innovation Support Center (TISC) at Innov8 Hub organized a workshop to commemorate IP Day ’22. The Workshop hosted professionals, students and organizations. This year’s celebration was themed IP and Youth: Innovating for a Better Future. This year’s theme focused on ways young innovative, creative and energetic minds are steering positive change.
The event was held at the Event Hall of Innov8 Hub. Ms Victoria Onyeagbako the Intellectual Property Manager for Innov8 Hub moderated the event. The workshop featured panellists from different sectors and fields of expertise. The panellists were; Dr M.K Abba (Head of Learning Center) from IntelBox Solutions Limited, Mr Oluwajoba (cofounder) from Nest Hub, Ms Eno-Obong (Principal Registrar) from Patent and Design Registry, Mr Akpan (Director, Nigeria Copyright Institute) from Nigeria Copyright Commission.
The focal point of this workshop was to encourage Nigerian youths to think creatively when innovating. The Keynote speaker, Mr Oluwatobiloba Moody PhD (Assistant Professor Queen’s University, Canada) spoke on Youth and Innovation; Innovating for a better future. The panel session elaborated on the best practices for innovating a better future, and the role of patent and design registry in encouraging innovation in Nigeria, among others. Furthermore, panellists examined the regulatory measures during the innovation cycle and the stages.
Technology and Innovation Support Center (TISC)
As a department at Innov8 Hub, TISC acts as an arm of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Created in 2009, TISC aims to enable developing countries to better harness their innovative potential. TISC supports the development of countries’ IP capacity through access to patent data, scientific publications, search tools and databases. They provide a range of tech and innovative services that help inventors and researchers unlock their potential. These services include; access to patent and non-patent databases; networking; IP awareness & others. They also support patent search, filing, analysis, drafting & support, and use of patent information. Furthermore, commercialization and technology transfer support are one of their services.
To help them function efficiently, TISC staff undergo training from WIPO to support capacity building and skills. This training equips them with the knowledge and skills to offer a range of high-quality services to innovators. These training courses are in the form of on-site workshops, seminars and others by the WIPO Academy. Topics covered by this training include but are not limited to; basic concepts and skills in patent search, types, analysis etc.
TISC support for capacity building is facilitated through partnerships like The Access to Specialized Patent Information (ASPI) and Access to Research for Development and Innovation (ARDI). ASPI enables institutions in developing countries to obtain free or low-cost access to commercial patent database services. While ARDI aims to increase the availability of scientific and technical information in developing countries through a public-private partnership with the publishing industry.
The World IP Day ’22 at Innov8 Hub was attended by participants from Universities, Hubs, The Government, US Embassy and other organizations. Ms Izunna, the Human Resource Manager for Innov8 Hub gave the closing remarks.