Revealed: Intellectual property link in varsity research struggle

The lecture, a platform where scholars openly engage society on pressing developmental issues, spotlighted the urgent need for institutions to rethink how they manage knowledge and innovation.

Delivering the lecture, Prof Saudin Jacob Mwakaje of the UDSM School of Law stressed that intellectual property rights (IPR) must be placed at the centre of African universities’ research management strategies.

He warned that the absence of strong intellectual property rights (IPR) frameworks is one of the major factors undermining Africa’s research output.

“Our universities must not be content with producing research that only ends up on shelves. We must safeguard it, patent it, and ensure it benefits our societies,” he said.

Prof Mwakaje, who also serves as UDSM’s Chief Corporate Counsel and Secretary to Council cautioned that universities are failing to capitalise on their intellectual wealth because of weak protection systems.

“We have reached a point where innovations in agriculture, medicine, and technology developed here in Africa are being patented elsewhere. If this continues, we will never fully enjoy the benefits of our intellectual labour,” he warned.

Across Africa, universities continue to produce innovative ideas, technologies, and knowledge. Yet, studies show that much of this output remains poorly protected, leaving room for external entities to patent or commercialise ideas without crediting their African originators.

For instance, research published by the African Union’s Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy (STISA-2024) indicates that Africa accounts for less than 2 percent of global patents annually despite significant growth in research outputs.

Analysts say this gap reflects how much the continent loses when its research remains unprotected.

Studies show that external entities often commercialise African-born ideas without crediting their originators. This situation, experts argue, is derailing the progress of universities and stunting Africa’s ability to compete in the global innovation economy.

To reverse the trend, Prof Mwakaje recommended setting up strong intellectual property offices within universities, training academics on IPR, and working closely with industry partners.

“Only through these pathways can universities transform research outputs into innovations that create real value and impact for society,” he said.

His message aligns with UDSM’s recent initiatives, including its Research and Innovation Week, which has showcased hundreds of solutions in agriculture, health, and digital technologies.

Observers say these efforts highlight the university’s potential to become a research hub—if its intellectual property is well managed.

UDSM Vice Chancellor, Prof William Anangisye, said the ARUA Distinguished Public Lecture series offers African scholars an opportunity to reflect and act on issues that affect the continent’s progress.

“Today’s gathering under the auspices of ARUA reminds us of our shared mission: to reposition African universities at the centre of knowledge production, innovation, and transformation,” he said.

Echoing this, ARUA General Secretary, Prof John Gyapong, noted that without embedding IPR into their core strategies, universities risk falling behind.

“For Africa to achieve meaningful progress in higher education and research, institutions must invest in policies and structures that protect innovation,” he said.

UDSM’s Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research, Prof Nelson Boniface, added that intellectual property is not just about ownership but about unlocking value.

“Effective management of intellectual property enables us to protect innovation, facilitate knowledge transfer, and translate research into economic and social value. This is where universities can truly serve the public good,” he said.

Public lectures are designed to bridge universities and society, allowing ideas to flow beyond the walls of academia. They provide space for debate on how research can address real challenges—ranging from climate change to food security and digital transformation.

This year’s lecture, chaired by Dr Nomakwezi Mzilikazi of Rhodes University in South Africa, attracted a wide audience of academics, policymakers, industry leaders, students, and the public.

Participants raised critical questions about how Africa can safeguard indigenous knowledge, ensure fair use of research, and align IPR with local development goals.

For Prof Mwakaje, the message was unmistakable: Africa’s future depends on how its universities secure, manage, and transform research into societal benefits.

“The choice before us is clear. Either we continue to lose our innovations to others, or we build systems that ensure our research serves our people. Intellectual property is the bridge,” he said.