Inventors Celebrated as “Key Elements of Innovation”

RC&I hosted the annual Inventors Evening in September, where UCT Inventors are recognised for the invention and innovation

achievements.  New inventors received their “Inventor” coffee mugs, whilst those who had a South African patent granted during the course of 2016 received a South African patent certificate as well as a certificate of recognition from the National IP Management Office (NIPMO).   A highlight of the evening was Dr Sudesh Sivarasu being awarded the DVC Award for Achievement in Innovation.  The theme of this year’s event was “Elements of Innovation” – and Inventors are certainly a key element of innovation.

Dr Yaseen Khan was the guest speaker and he presented an excellent motivational talk to aspiring entrepreneurs around his key learnings in establishing the Open Medicine Project and the Essential Medical Guidance (EMGuidance) mobile health reference for doctors.  Finding a workable business model and understanding “who pays?” has been key to the success of the platform.

Two publications were launched: Innovation at UCT 2017, which profiles the Innovation activities at UCT that are associated with RC&I and includes inventor profiles, as well as a graphic brochure that outlines the innovation process around commercialising university technologies that RC&I manage and provide information on “Technology Readiness Levels” .  The inventors that were profiled were also interviewed and a film was screened as part of the evening.

NIPMO is acknowledged for their kind sponsorship of the Inventors Evening, as well as for the production of the two publications that were launched.