from the press

By Joshua Masinde: Kampala

Any Makerere University student or staff member who comes up with an innovation will receive benefits once the innovation is commercialised and marketed. Dr. George William Nasinyama, the Deputy Director of Research at Makerere University has said.
The university drafted an innovation policy that will cover both the undergraduate and post-graduate students and members of staff.
“This policy addresses issues related to ownership, protection and commercialisation of intellectual property and innovations created by the student and staff of the university,” the draft policy reads in part. The policy, which was approved by the University Council in March this year, will be reviewed periodically by the Board of Research and Publications once it is adopted.
“The university will help the innovator to develop the innovation further and market it,” Dr. Nasinyama said.
“To develop an innovation to commercialization stage requires funds which an individual may not raise. The university comes in, takes up the innovation, undertakes all processes of commercialization in order to market it,” Dr. Nasinyama added.
Once the innovation has been commercialized, the university signs a contract with the innovator. The contract will depend upon the individual and the university. When the contract has been signed, it is taken over by Company law.
As far as benefits are concerned, the profits accrued from marketing the innovation will be shared between the individual and the university after the costs of developing the innovation have been removed.
“Eighty percent (80%) of the first five thousand dollars (US $5000) go to the innovator,” says Dr. Nasinyama. “Thereafter, he or she takes fifty percent (50%).”
Dr. Nasinyama however points out that the innovation does not cover books because published books are addressed by the contract between the author, the publisher and the copyright law. Nevertheless, the university is planning to establish a University Press by the end of this year. This will handle publications like books.
“We are trying to come up with a University Press. If you publish a book, it will be handled in the same way.”