More than 70 participants from 10 countries will participate in the annual World Intellectual Property Organization-South Africa (WIPO-SA) Summer School on Intellectual Property (IP) and Technology Transfer, which runs from 25 November to 6 December 2024 in Durban.

The summer school is an annual workshop organised by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) through its entity, the National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO), in collaboration with WIPO, the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), Japan Patent Office and the Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) as the host. 

The summer school provides an opportunity for university students and young professionals to acquire a deeper knowledge of IP and technology transfer and how to use them as tools for sustainable development. 

Representatives from the partner organisations will address the official opening on 25 November 2024.  They include:  Mr Musa Zondi, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs; Prof. Nokuthula Sibiya, Vice-Chancellor of MUT; Ms Maria-Stella Ntamark, WIPO Academy Program Officer; Ms Jetane Charsley, Head of NIPMO; Adv. Rory Voller, CIPC Commissioner; and Ms Sachiyo Yoshino of the Embassy of Japan in South Africa.

Stakeholders include small and micro enterprise incubators, industry, private law firms, public officials, higher education institutions, members of the Southern African Development Community, Technology Innovation Agency, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition and international organisations.

The media are invited to the opening session as follows:

Date:               25 November 2024

Time:              9:00 – 12:00

Venue:            Umdoni 2 room, Gateway Hotel, Umhlanga

For more information, please contact Julian Leshilo-Sebake on 060 961 2194 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..