NOTAP DG INAUGURATES INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER OFFICE (IPTTO) IN AE-FUNAI
The Director-General, National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), Dr. Danazumi Mohammed Ibrahim, yesterday, inaugurated the Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Office (IPTTO) established at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State.

The Office is one of the 55 others established by NOTAP in various tertiary institutions across the country geared towards enhancing research, development and innovation among Nigerians, especially academics in institutions of higher learning.


Rep. of the DG, NOTAP, Mrs. Idereyin T. Imiyoho cutting the tape while rep. of VC,Prof. Dennis Akoh, DVC, Admin, Prof. Abel Ezeoha, Ag, Head, Dept. of Research Coordination, NOTAP, Mr. Smart Tuedor, Ag. Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Engr. Dr. Chukwunonye Ezea and rep. of Director, Research and Development, Dr. Makuachukwu Ojide, witnessing the inauguration ceremony
Themed “Towards the Enhancement of Intellectual Property Culture and Innovation”, the commissioning ceremony also involved a 2-day training session meant to equip the university’s scholars and innovators with the relevant knowledge in different areas of intellectual property such as intellectual property policy, intellectual property documentation, patent data bases and search techniques, and drafting of patent specification.



While delivering his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor of the University,Prof Sunday Elom noted that the inauguration ceremony was a historic milestone in the annals of the University.


Rep. of the DG, NOTAP, Mrs. Idereyin T. Imiyoho unveiling the plaque at the event while others watch
“Today’s event is a historic milestone in the annals of our young university, as it signals the official commencement of IPTTO activities in our University”, adding “From all indications, the Office will not only serve our university, it will also serve the entire southeast geopolitical zone of Nigeria”

He noted that: “With today’s event, it is expected that lecturers, researchers and other innovators within and outside the southeast zone will make use of the Office in dealing with the issues of copyrights and patents as regards their research works and innovative ideas in seamless manner”

Continuing, the Vice-Chancellor said: “As a university, we are irrevocably committed to academic excellence benched on research, development and innovation”, noting “It is the plan of my administration to promote production-led research, geared towards providing solutions to the array of problems confronting our society”, adding “We will continue to invest relevant human and material resources as well as the needed infrastructure to make the dream a reality.”


Rep. of VC, Prof. Dennis Akoh delivering the VC’s address at the event
The Vice-Chancellor further thanked the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu for supporting the collaboration between the University and NOTAP, which led to the establishment of IPTTO in the University. He also appreciated the untiring efforts of the Director-General of NOTAP, Dr. Ibrahim and his team in establishing and equipping the Office, and making it functional.



In his speech, Dr. Ibrahim stated that NOTAP was established by the Nigerian Government to promote the development of locally motivated technologies as well as encourage the utilization of indigenous technologies through registration of Technology Transfer Agreement.

Represented by the Director of Corporate Planning, Mrs. Idereyin T. Imiyoho, the DG further stressed that NOTAP is intentional about the establishment of IPTTO in order to facilitate Research and Development activities in Nigeria as well as by providing relevant assistance to Nigerian researchers.


Rep. of DG, NOTAP, Mrs. Idereyin T. Imiyoho and rep. of VC, Prof. Dennis Akoh in a group photograph with some participants t the training
Continuing, Dr. Ibrahim pointed out several gaps within the system that hamper research, development and innovation, noting that the major gap is the limited interaction between the research community and industries. He added that the need to bridge the gaps necessitated the establishing of 55 IPTTO in different tertiary institutions in Nigeria.



Earlier in his opening remarks, the University’s Director of Research and Development, Prof. Onuegbu O. Ugwu, commended the Vice-Chancellor for his commitment in ensuring that AE-FUNAI joined the team of universities, polytechnics and research institutes in Nigeria to benefit from the establishment of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Offices (IPTTOs).

He thanked NOTAP especially for the interest and commitment in ensuring that the University takes its place in accelerating the national drive towards a rapid technological revolution through efficient acquisition, absorption of foreign technology and in the development of indigenous technological capability through a proactive promotion of innovation and commercialization of technology.


Rep. of Director, Research and Development, Dr. Makuachukwu speaking at the commissioning ceremony


The Director who was represented by the immediate past Ag Director Research and Development, Dr. Makuachukwu Ojide assured the NOTAP officials that the Vice-Chancellor is eager to see the university scholars play active role in developing a robust intellectual property rights portfolio In Nigeria through patenting, copyright and technology licensing.

He further stated that in a couple of months, more AE-FUNAI scholars and innovators will begin to receive patent certificates for innovative research outputs.


VC, Prof. Sunday Elom (9th R) and rep. of DG, NOTAP, Mrs. Idereyin T. Imiyoho (10th L) in a group photograph some principal officers of the University and team from NOTAP during a courtesy call on VC before the inauguration ceremony
The NOTAP team had earlier paid a courtesy call on the Vice-Chancellor before the inauguration ceremony.