By Felix Oketcho
In a bid to strengthen innovation led education in Africa, Intellectual Property experts have converged in Kampala in a regional seminar on STEM, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Intellectual Property (IP) Education.
The three days event that started on May 28th to 30th, 2025, at Protea Hotel Kampala organized by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in collaboration with Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) has attracted educators and IP experts from six African countries, including Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mozambique, Botswana, and Ghana, as well as science teachers and education professionals from Uganda.
According to URSB Registrar General Mercy Kainobwisho, the training will equip educators with practical tools to integrate IP concepts into STEM learning, enabling students to bridge scientific knowledge with entrepreneurial thinking and innovation.
“The seminar’s core vision is to nurture a new generation of creators who understand how to invent, protect, and commercialize their ideas. By integrating IP education into STEM curricula, the initiative promotes critical thinking, creativity, and prepares students for participation in a knowledge-driven economy,” she stressed.
Kainobwisho says as host of this regional seminar, Uganda reaffirms its position as a leader in advancing educational reform that fuels innovation, empowers youth, and drives sustainable economic growth.
“The seminar reflects Uganda’s commitment to investing in youth potential and positions the country as a key player in shaping Africa’s innovation future,”she explained.
A consortium of national partners, including the Ministry of Education and Sports, Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Uganda Professional Science Teachers’ Union (UPSTU), and the Science, Technology and Innovation Secretariat under the Office of the President, is coordinating the initiative.
Uganda has made significant strides in promoting STEM education through various initiatives, including government programs, private sector involvement, and international collaborations. These efforts aim to equip students with practical STEM skills, foster innovation, and prepare them for the future workforce
Meanwhile Uganda’s Intellectual Property (IP) system aims to protect and promote IP rights, fostering innovation and creativity. The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) provides a standardized process for IP registration and enforcement, while the government is working to strengthen enforcement and expand protection.