The Technology Transfer and Innovation Support (TTIS) office at the North-West University (NWU) recently hosted a celebration event for NWU Intellectual Property (IP) Creators.
A primary goal of the TTIS is to assist NWU researchers and inventors in transferring their research into new and viable products and services. Professor Jeffrey Mphahlele, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research & Innovation, welcomed the researchers. “It is our mission to motivate and support IP creators, and to recognize their contributions,” Mphahlele said. “The NWU does not take you for granted! We are thankful that our researchers always go the extra mile and we are proud of the effort.” he added.
TTIS facilitates the transfer of research from academia to the community that needs it. “I do not know where my team stops and the TTIS team begins, we are interwoven in every step of the journey and I am extremely grateful for their support,” shares Prof Leenta Grobler. Over ten innovations have been developed by Prof Leenta with the help of the TTIS. From the app TjopTjop – Covid-19 health screening solution for schools and businesses to a Digital Infantometer to monitor baby development.
The purpose of the Celebrating NWU IP Creators event was not only to thank the creators for their hard work but to also nurture relationships and to motivate them in their research and innovation endeavors. In addition to identifying commercially viable intellectual property, TTIS registers patents and trademarks, sources funding, negotiates with investors, and commercializes innovations. According to Dr Janine Chantson, Chief Director of TTIS, 2022 was the year in which TTIS received a record number of IP disclosures as well as seed funding applications. “Thanks to the researchers’ hard work, innovation is growing at the NWU,” she shared.
After the welcoming of the guests, by Prof Jeffrey, Dr Mesuli Mbanjwa from the TTIS office introduced the guest speaker, Craig Wing. Mr Wing is a futurist, imaginer, entrepreneur, and global keynote speaker, with past corporate clients like Audi, Deloitte, ABSA, Sanlam, and many more. He has mentored and advised over 1000 entrepreneurs and is also a best-selling author on Amazon. He holds dual Master’s degrees in Engineering and Business and is completing a Ph.D. in Futures Thinking from the University of Johannesburg. He gave a refreshing presentation that certainly affected the attendees and, as Prof Jeffrey expressed it, “reset our thinking!”
As part of the celebration, Dr Petro Erasmus, IP creator of Let’s Really Play Maths, also attended and shared her experience working with TTIS. “Just the idea to put your research out into the commercial market is thrilling, the reality thereof is absolutely life-changing! TTIS helped me to introduce my research into practice as products and feasible programmes to help kids enjoy maths,” she explained.
