Functions of the Directorate
- Implementation of JKUAT Intellectual Property Policy
- Identifying and assessing JKUAT IP assets
- Assisting university inventors/innovators access patent information data bases through the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) supported Technology and Innovation Support Centre (TISC)
- Identifying applications for university innovations and assessing the market
- Initiating collaboration between the university and industry
- Partnering researchers with industry and government for collaborative, Joint research/consultancy and development
- Providing a channel through which companies, research organizations and government agencies can access the knowledge, expertise and technologies found in the university
- Initiate, Promote and strengthen technology transfer and commercialization of the university’s Intellectual Property assets in view of providing economic return to faculty/staff and the university.
- Initiate and Promote commercialization of expertise/skills/knowhow found in the university in view of providing economic return to faculty/staff and the university
- Providing a link between the university inventors/innovators and the Nairobi Industrial and Technology Park/industries
- Jobs, internship and external attachment placements for students
- Apprenticeship/ Industrial attachment placements for staff
- Providing a link between the National Commission of Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI) and the University
Objectives
- To ensure effective management of the University’s IP assets.
- To establish and maintain an IP assets inventory.
- To guide faculty/staff on matters relating to Intellectual Property protection and commercialization.
- Assist inventors/innovators identify patents that are in the public domain.
- To ensure that inventors/innovators do not engage in research that has been undertaken elsewhere and results patented and published.
- To foster good relations between the university and industry
- To commercialize the university’s intellectual property assets In order to provide a fair and reasonable economic return to the university, faculty/staff and community.
- To commercialize expertise/skills/knowhow found in the university in order to provide a fair and reasonable economic return to the university, faculty/staff and community.
- To provide for better management of relationships between the university and Industry, external agencies and associations involved in technology transfer.
- To encourage collaborative research between the university and industry.
- To communicate the impact and benefits of JKUAT research and technology transfer activities to corporate, government, university and community agencies.
- To promote “entrepreneurship” within the academic community.
- To establish and maintain a directory for university/industry collaborators.