The Masters in Intellectual Property Degree Program offered by Africa University (AU) in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) and the Japan Patent Office (JPO), is now in its 16th year.
The collaborative synergies among the partnering entities have greatly contributed to the success factors of the program, which has significantly grown in terms of both substance and student registrations. ARIPO, WIPO, JPO and AU have continuously increased support towards the MIP program with a renewed to significantly increase the human capital portfolio within the intellectual property sector.
The MIP has gained traction since its inception in 2008 with the objectives spectrum expanding to include wider demography. Having started mainly with professionals employed mostly within the Intellectual Property field, the programme has now become very popular amongst the enterprising youths who are driving the small-to-medium (SME) enterprise economy.
Following the successful completion of the 15th cohort who finalized part of their practice sessions in Harare towards the end of 2022, AU recently opened their doors for applicants who are eager to join the class of 2023.
Some of the MIP alumni who have stepped forward to share their journeys after receiving their qualifications have shown resilience in the enterprise industry, crediting part of this success to the knowledge acquired from this program. Realizing that intellectual property rights are not just reserved for larger firms has allowed them to plug some of the holes which have been seen as contributory factors to the failure of small businesses within Africa. Using Europe as an example, SMEs represent 99 % of all businesses in the EU yet less than 9 % of SMEs own intellectual property rights (IPR). Meanwhile, those firms that do own IPR have 68 % more revenue per employee than firms that do not.
Africa University has opened applications for the program until 28 February 2023.
Read more about the 15th cohort’s practical session experience here.