The upcoming Intellectual Property (IP) conference set for Wednesday, April 24th at Four Points by Sheraton in Kampala, is anticipated to provide innovators with comprehensive knowledge about intellectual property rights and their significance in innovation.
The conference organised by the Ministry of Information, Communications Technology, and National Guidance, in collaboration with the ICT Association of Uganda (ICTAU) also seeks to provide a much-needed platform for innovators to showcase their innovations and seek support on related intellectual property rights assessment, registration, and commercialization.
Shirley Gladys Nakyejwe, the Intellectual Property Management Specialist at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, said the IP conference will particularly tackle the ownership and commercialization gaps that young female innovators encounter while trying to transform their innovations into marketable products.
“We aim to give innovators a platform, resources, and opportunities to succeed in their commercialization journey. It encourages inventors, artists, and entrepreneurs to push boundaries and take risks,” Ms. Nakyejwe said.
She added that there’s a gender gap in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) innovation with female innovators, inventors, and authors often missing out on the benefits and protections of Intellectual Property.
The one-day conference, “Harnessing IP in the Digital Era to Advance Gender Equality,” will directly contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 5 by promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls through innovation and creativity.
Ms. Nakyejwe explained that the conference, whose entrance is free, will facilitate dialogue for innovators and inventors to engage with experts, stakeholders, and potential collaborators, fostering a supportive ecosystem for female STEM innovators.
Available statistics indicate that the intellectual property gender gap in Uganda poses a formidable challenge.
This is underscored by the stark reality that only 16 percent of patent applications originate from women, particularly within the STEM fields.
Mr. Gideon Nkurunungi, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), ICT Association of Uganda who is co-hosting the conference said the IP conference is a new era in innovation for Uganda.
“Our nation is on the brink of an extraordinary transformation. Innovation is the engine of this change, and it requires a solid framework to thrive. Today, we commit to forging this framework together, creating a fertile ground where creativity blooms and inventions take root,” Mr Nkurungi noted.
He added that Uganda’s climb up the global IP rankings starts with domestic actions which requires molding an ecosystem that not only fosters innovation but also accelerates it.
Nkurunungi is of the view that to merely follow global trends is to forever chase the shadows of greater nations.
Instead, he advises innovators to leap ahead and become the architects of the future rather than its inheritors by stretching their imaginations beyond the conventional, to pioneer the unprecedented.
According to a UNESCO report, bias, stereotypes, limited resources, and unequal opportunities create formidable obstacles for young women in Uganda pursuing careers in STEM, hindering their full participation and contribution to innovation.
The IP conference, which will be held during World IP Week, is expected to increase awareness, knowledge, and understanding of the benefits of IP rights management for female innovators.
The organizer said that innovators will gain a deeper understanding of intellectual property rights and how to use them to their advantage.
During the event, the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance will unveil the much sought-after Intellectual Property Toolkit that is expected to provide innovators with tangible resources to navigate the complexities of IP protection and management, further supporting their innovation journey.
The conference will bring together young female innovators, inventors, and authors from across the country to interact and share their IP-related experiences with key stakeholders in the Intellectual Property industry, including Ministries of ICT & NG, Secretariat of STI—OP, URSB IP Office, IP Advocates, and Women already in STEM.