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Intellectual property is an important driver of human development and economic growth

26 April 2022 | Story André Damons and Ravini Moodley

World Intellectual Property Day, which is celebrated on 26 April since the year 2000, is an opportunity to focus on the nature of intellectual property (IP) as an important driver of human development and economic growth. This year, the theme is ‘Intellectual Property and Youth: Innovating for a better future’.

According to Ravini Moodley, Director of Innovation and Contracts in the Directorate Research Development at the University of the Free State (UFS), this is well aligned to the incredible work that the students and staff are doing in the department. Fantastic inventions and creative work are being developed at our university. These could be used in companies and society to create a better future indeed!

The UFS Technology Transfer Office (TTO) is based in the Directorate Research Development. We are here to support students and staff to transform their creations so that they can make economic, social, and environmental improvements.

“‘Intellectual property’ refers to creations of the mind, which include inventions, designs, literary and artistic works. Trademarks, which can be words or logos that help to build the brand of a company, are also considered intellectual property. There is a specific legal function dedicated to protecting intellectual property, because these are the intangible assets that many businesses use to generate their income,” says Moodley.

The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), established under the United Nations (UN), facilitates international dialogue and establishes processes for countries to co-operate on intellectual property rights. The WIPO has designated World Intellectual Property Day as 26 April since the year 2000.

At the TTO, we help students and staff to

understand how to protect the intellectual property they develop during their research;
investigate the commercial opportunities and possible routes to the market for their technologies;
ensure that the university has an accurate record of intellectual property developed by staff and students; and
ensure that part of the benefits of the intellectual property commercialised by the UFS are distributed to the inventors and innovators.

We will be using the week of 25 April 2022 to highlight some of the UFS patents and to provide more information on topics related to intellectual property and commercialisation. Over the next few months, we will also be building up our resources on the DRD webpage; so please watch that space.

You can also contact Ravini Moodley moodleyr5@ufs.ac.za or Prudence Clarke ClarkeP@ufs.ac.za for more information.

WATCH ABOVE: Celebrating World Intellectual Property Day

On 26 April every year, we celebrate World Intellectual Property Day to learn about the role that intellectual property (IP) rights play in encouraging innovation and creativity.

World IP Day 2022 – IP and Youth: Innovating for a Better Future – shines a light on how young inventors, creators, and entrepreneurs can use intellectual property (IP) rights to achieve their goals, generate income, create jobs, tackle local and global challenges, and support community and national development.

Check out Intellectual Property conversations with five UFS innovations. #WorldIPDay

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WATCH: Intellectual Property - Intro	WATCH: Intellectual Property - Conversations About Physics

Related: KovsieInnovation

News Archive

UFS student makes breakthrough in the application of nanorobots

2005-04-21

A student from the University of the Free State (UFS) has made a ground-breaking discovery in the field of microbiology by uncovering a series of new compounds that may in future be used to lubricate man-made nanorobots.

Mr Olihile Sebolai, a full-time student at the UFS’s Department of Microbial- Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, made this discovery while working on his M Sc-study on yeast.

With this discovery Mr Sebolai will also be awarded six prestigious prizes during this week’s autumn graduation ceremony at the UFS. This university has recognised this exceptional achievement as a build-up to the celebration of national Science and Technology week next month.

Mr Sebolai’s dissertation on the yeast genus Saccharomycopsis Schionning has been published in an accredited international journal of repute.

“Words cannot describe how excited I am. I never expected to receive such recognition for my studies. I am humbled by all of this,” said Mr Sebolai.

The Lipid Biotechnology Group at the UFS recently discovered that some yeasts produce their own water-propelled capsules in which they are transported. These capsules have different shapes and resemble among others miniature flying saucers, hats with razor sharp brims etc. “In order to function properly, parts of the capsules are oiled with prehistoric lubricants – lubricants that are produced by yeasts and that probably existed for many millions of years as yeasts developed,” said Mr Sebolai.

According to Mr Sebolai these capsules are so small that approximately 300 can be fitted into the full-stop at the end of a sentence and are therefore invisible to the naked eye.

“With my studies I discovered many new compounds that resemble these prehistoric lubricants. These lubricants may in future be used to lubricate man-made nanorobots and are similar in size compared to yeast capsules,” said Mr Sebolai. The nanorobots are used to perform tasks in places that are invisible to the naked eye and could one day be used, among others, to clean up human arteries.

Mr Sebolai has been interested in the subject of Micro technology since he was at RT Mokgopa High School in Thaba ‘Nchu. “I was specifically interested in the many possible applications the subject has – in the industry, as well as in medicine,” said Mr Sebolai.

His next goal is to successfully complete his Ph D-degree.

The prizes that will be awarded to Mr Sebolai this week include:

Best Magister student at the UFS (Senate medal and prize);

Best Magister student in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science and Dean’s medal at the same faculty;

The Andries Brink – Sasol-prize for the best M Sc dissertation in Microbiology;

The JP van der Walt prize for best M Sc dissertation in yeast science;

The Chris Small prize for an outstanding Master’s dissertation; and

Honorary colours awarded by the UFS Student Representative Council

Media release

Issued by: Lacea Loader

Media Representative

Tel: (051) 401-2584

Cell: 083 645 2454

E-mail: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za

20 April 2005

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