UNIZIK Launches Intellectual Property Policy, Declares Zero Tolerance for Plagiarism

By Praise Chinecherem

Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State has restated its commitment to promoting innovations, entrepreneurship, as well as fighting plagiarism in the institution.

The University also revealed plans to establish technology incubation center for mentorship and legal advice for students into research and innovation.

Director, Technology Incubation Centre Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Office of the University, Prof. Austen Azubogo, dropped the hint at the public presentation of Intellectual Property Policy Document and inauguration of Bureau of Intellectual Property of the University.

He said the IPP Document launch became necessary following revolving nature of academic institutions from teaching and research to entrepreneurial and innovative institutions.

He said the university was already producing retrofit kit for electric tricycle at the plastic incubation centre where 50% local raw materials were being used.

He said, “We want to turn UNIZIK from teaching or research institution to an entrepreneurial and innovative institution. We want to make our students to be entrepreneurs and innovators.

“This intellectual property need to be incubated in our labs and workshops before being transferred out. We currently have plastic incubation center where we use 50% local raw materials.”

In his keynote address, Governor Chukwuma Soludo said his administration would partner the academia to improve governance processes, promote innovation and creativity for accelerated economic transformation of the State.

Soludo, represented by Commissioner for Industry, Christian Udechukwu, said there was no limit to work and ideas the institution could generate in view of its abundant human resources.

“This government is keen on accelerating economic growth with people creative enough to generate solutions, For UNIZIK to count itself relevant, it should have contributed to open knowledge and innovations in the state.”

Speaking while unveiling the IPP document, the University’s Vice Chancellor, Prof Charles Esimone described the public presentation as landmark achievement, especially as it was coming 15 years after its established in 2008.

He said the accomplishments would be accelerated to ensure bright ideas were not only incubated in the institution, but exported to the larger society.

He said, “I want to say that this is a great accomplishment for the University and I want to commend the Director of the Centre, Prof Austen Azubogu for the push to get the policy presented publicly.

“This is just the beginning of better things to come. We have three patents now and part of what we are doing is to create awareness that Intellectual property is the way to go.

“We are doing a lot of researches but with the policy, we will begin to protect the work people are doing. A lot of patentable products are on and very soon, we will have their patents done.

“We intend to go beyond just having the patent certificates but to get these patents to get to the industries for proper application.

“We will scale the accomplishments so far to see that the bright ideas we have incubated in this citadel of learning, are exported to the larger society.

“Innovations will be coming out of our TIC, the Director has shared some of these with me. The University is on top and we want to continue to show the light.”

On his part, Director-General, National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion, NOTAP, Dr Muhammad Ibrahim stressed the need for Universities to commence commercialisation of patent certificates acquired by their students.

Ibrahim, represented by a Director in the office, Dr. Caroline Ani-Osuagwu listed intellectual property to include ideas, information and knowledge, which might not be tangible, just as he noted that the launch would guide the University on research issues.

“NOTAP is poised to support the University to ensure members of the community derive the right benefits for their intellectual property, in line with its mandate.

“It is expected that the IPP launched today will facilitate proliferation of ideas in the University that will yield solutions to the numerous societal challenges.

“The University so far, has three patents and it is our hope that more will come,” he assured.

The event organised by the Technology Incubation Centre, TIC of the University, attracted major stakeholders within the university community, business leaders and captains of industries, as well as other notable personalities.