NUST Strengthens Capacity in Patent Drafting through WIPO–ARIPO Training
The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) participated in the WIPO Patent Drafting Course for the ARIPO Member States and Observer States, held in Harare, Zimbabwe, from 20 to 24 October 2025.
The intensive training, organised by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in cooperation with the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) and supported by the Japan Patent Office (JPO), brought together participants from 31 African countries to strengthen capacity in intellectual property protection and patent drafting.
Dr Paulus Shigwedha, Innovation Process Developer in the Directorate of Research, Innovation and Partnerships (DRIP), attended the course under the joint nomination of the Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA) and NUST, through the Technology Transfer Office (TTO) and the Technology and Innovation Support Centre (TISC).
“As we work to get our TTO and TISC fully up and running, this training has given me invaluable knowledge and practical skills we need to move things forward. I am really grateful to WIPO, JPO, and ARIPO for putting together such an insightful and impactful program,” said Dr Shigwedha.
The training covered key aspects of patent drafting, including understanding claim formats and methodologies, and conducting practical exercises on developing full patent applications. Participants also visited the University of Zimbabwe’s Innovation Hub and the National Transtech Solutions Centre, examples of thriving innovation ecosystems in action.
In line with NUST’s vision to be a premier technological university known for knowledge creation, innovation, and entrepreneurship, the patent drafting skills gained will be applied through the Technology Transfer Office (TTO) to prepare and file patent applications for inventions arising from institutional research and innovation activities.
