The University will again host the WIPO South Africa Summer School on Intellectual Property and Transfer of Technology. The event is generally known as the ‘Summer School”. The 2025 17th edition of the event will be hosted off campus from 25 November 2025 to 5 December 2025. The section in the Research directorate that is organising the event is the Technology Transfer Office, led by Dr Mandla Hlongwane, Deputy Director: Intellectual Property in the Research directorate. Its partners are the National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO), the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), and the Japanese Patent Office (JPO), which are the funders for the 17th WIPO-SA Summer School on IP and TT.
Dr Hlongwane said that the “Summer School” provides an opportunity for local and international students, young professionals, academics, and researchers to acquire a deeper understanding of Intellectual Property and the Transfer of Technology. “This objective is closely linked to and supported by the desire for the students to gain an acute appreciation of the role of IP as a tool for economic, social, cultural, and technological development,” he said. The programme is implemented over two weeks, and consists of lectures, case studies, simulation exercises and group discussions on selected IP and TT topics, with an orientation towards an interface between IP and other disciplines. The Summer School Programme also focuses on issues about the management and commercialisation of IP. Furthermore, Dr Hlongwane indicated that the Summer School provides a unique platform for fostering skills and knowledge that are critical in today’s innovation-driven economy.
The event will again include school learners from various local schools. Dr Hlongwane said they continue to include school learners for several strategic reasons. “This exciting initiative will provide a platform for young minds to pitch their innovative ideas, fostering creativity, entrepreneurship, and early engagement with the fields of intellectual property (IP) and technology transfer,” Dr Hlongwane said. Dr Hlongwane said that they were “thrilled to introduce a dedicated programme tailored for high school learners”.
The Director of the Research Directorate, Dr Anette Mienie said that the WIPO-SA Summer School on IP and TT project aligns closely with MUT’s strategic objectives in numerous ways. It promotes research and innovation excellence. “The Summer School is aimed at enhancing participants’ knowledge on intellectual property, technology transfer and commercialisation, which are essential to fostering innovation. This is aligned to the MUT’s goal of cultivating a research-driven environment where new ideas can flourish and be effectively protected and commercialised,” said Dr Mienie. Dr Mienie also added that hosting the WIPO-SA Summer School strengthens MUT’s role as a key player in intellectual property and technology transfer networks through connecting with global IP experts, government representatives, and industry leaders, reinforcing MUT’s commitment to building strategic partnerships that advance educational and economic goals.
The schools participating in the event are Menzi High School, Mqhawe High School, and Sidelile High School, Qinisani high school, and Sibusisiwe Comp-Tech high school.