By Mohammed Abubakar
The Management of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, has pledged its unwavering support for research initiatives, particularly those aimed at commercializing their outcomes. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Faruk Adamu Kuta made this commitment during the opening of the 2024 Technology Transfer and Commercialization Workshop, sponsored by the Africa Centre of Excellence for Mycotoxin and Food Safety (ACEMFS), FUT, Minna.
The workshop, organized by the Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Office (IPTTO), FUT, Minna takes place on Wednesday, 24 July, and Thursday, 25 July 2024, at the SICT Lecture Theatre, Main Campus.
Represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Prof. Abdullahi Mohammed, Prof. Kuta emphasized the University’s high regard for research, noting its potential to enhance the institution’s reputation and achieve international recognition. He highlighted the evolution of university mandates, where researchers are now expected to engage in community service and commercialize their outputs, in addition to teaching and research.
Prof. Kuta encouraged workshop participants to leverage the opportunity to explore technology transfer and commercialization, underscoring its benefits for the institution and the wider community. He urged researchers to revive their projects and seek commercialization opportunities, thereby maximizing the impact of their work.
In his remarks, ACEMFS Centre Leader Prof. Anthony Hussaini Makun, represented by Deputy Centre Leader Prof. Hadiza Lami Muhammad, explained that the workshop is part of a broader project, Disbursement Lead Indicator 5.3, which requires reporting all developed products to the World Bank. The collaboration with IPTTO aims to secure funding for these initiatives, reflecting the University’s strong support for the centre’s endeavors.
IPTTO Coordinator Prof. J. O. Tijani outlined plans to translate laboratory and library research into tangible community benefits. He stressed the importance of product-based research and the role of patents in protecting and commercializing innovations. Prof. Tijani highlighted the office’s efforts to evaluate and submit patentable products to the patent registry, aiming to increase the University’s market presence.
Director of the Directorate of Research, Innovation and Development (DRID), Prof. Moses Aderemi Olutoye, emphasized the importance of patenting research products to protect intellectual property and personal rights. He praised the workshop’s timing and its focus on aligning researchers with global best practices in intellectual property protection. Prof. Olutoye encouraged participants to engage actively and leverage the workshop to patent and commercialize their research outputs.
This development represents a significant step towards harnessing the University’s research potential for societal benefit, positioning FUT Minna as a leader in research commercialization and innovation.
Photo credit: Elijah Yisa