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WIPO National Training Workshop on University Technology Transfer and IP Commercialization for the Royal University of Bhutan

WIPO National Training Workshop on University Technology Transfer and IP Commercialization for the Royal University of Bhutan

Submitted by Efua Halm on

March 1-2, 2022

The IP for Innovators Department (IPID), Technology Transfer Section of WIPO, participated in the National Training Workshop on University Technology Transfer and IP Commercialization for the Royal University of Bhutan (RUB), held on March 1-2, 2022. 

The Workshop was organized by WIPO, Division for Least Developed Countries, in cooperation with the Jigme Nangyel Engineering College (JNEC), the Royal University of Bhutan, and the Nagaoka University of Technology, Japan.

The objective of the Workshop was to support the Royal University of Bhutan in implementing its project on building its knowledge base and capacity on mechanisms and support systems for transferring research results to industry, as well as establishing appropriate institutional and policy frameworks. The Project emanates from the Regional Partnership Initiative for Innovation and Technological Capacity Building in the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) of Asia and the Pacific, run by the Division for LDCs in collaboration with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP) since 2015.

Invited speakers explored what academic institutions can do to support innovation capacity, what is the role of Technology Transfer Offices in the IP commercialization process, and how to incentivize researchers to transfer their research findings to industry and society.

Several WIPO Technology Transfer Technical Assistance Programs have been presented, including the COVID-19 Response and the Technology and Innovation Support Center (TISC) Network. In addition, the upcoming publication of the WIPO “Incentives Guide for Researchers” has been promoted.

About 49 participants, including representatives and senior officials from government, academia, and industry, participated in the Workshop. Such diverse background of participants and the presence of senior officials truly reflects the importance of this event.

As a way forward, WIPO will continue to support the efforts of the Royal University of Bhutan to promote innovation and capacity building in technology transfer and IP commercialization that will ultimately bring concrete results and benefits to society and the development of the country.

In this connection, the IP for Innovators Department (IPID), Technology Transfer Section will provide support to the development of the institutional IP Policy and TISC of the Royal University of Bhutan. Division for LDCs will be working with the Royal University of Bhutan and the Nagaoka University of Technology of Japan on the planned Pilot Project on Facilitating Transfer of Appropriate Technologies for Community Development through Universities and Research Institutes.