Knowledge Management, Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer
Knowledge Management
It is part of the NCRST’s aim to ensure that platforms and opportunities for knowledge creation, management, retention and sharing are in place. It is also imperative that all types of knowledge resources within the Commission are identified, managed and protected for the benefits of the Commission. The Commission recognises the four main components of knowledge management as:
- Employees,
- Processes,
- Technological tools and equipment, and
- Implementation strategies thereof.
The Commission further equates the value of data, information and institutional knowledge to that of the institution’s finances, its employees, tangible assets, customers and stakeholders; and should thus be managed with equal care and consciousness. Policy makers in both public and private institutions are working and strategizing towards knowledge-based economies. Therefore, the NCRST institutional data, information and knowledge should be managed in a manner that contributes to building a knowledge-based economy.
The types of knowledge that the NCRST manages and protects include explicit, tacit and embedded knowledge that have been created and/or acquired by its employees, stakeholders and collaborating development partners, but excluding indigenous/traditional knowledge. The afore-said types of knowledge are protected through relevant intellectual property regimes. The NCRST institutional resilience initiatives also play a pivotal role in knowledge protection. Considering the enormous challenges presented by the ever-growing technological development and the internet of things (IoT), the NCRST has developed rules and regulations pertaining to the sharing of data, knowledge and information with the general public.
Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer
The NCRST was established and mandated to coordinate, fund and promote research, science, technology and innovation activities in Namibia. This is done through grants and knowledge management, national and international collaboration initiatives, intellectual property rights (IPRs) management and technology transfer mechanisms. The Commission recognises the need for the practical application and economic use of the results from research activities carried out with its assistance and/or involvement for the benefit of the general public. This is done through effective implementation of the Institutional Policy on Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer, which relates primarily to the ownership, protection and commercial exploitation of intellectual property created by researchers, inventors and inn
The Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Policy was developed with the following objectives:
- To promote, encourage and aid scientific investigation and research,
- To provide legal certainty in research activities and technology-based relationships with third parties,
- To set out the Commission’s procedures on the identification, ownership, protection and commercialization of intellectual property,
- To facilitate the recording, monitoring and maintenance of the Commission’s intellectual property portfolios,
- To ensure a fair and equitable distribution of economic benefits arising from the commercialization of intellectual property, taking into consideration the contribution by researchers, inventors, innovators and stakeholders,
- To create an enabling environment and the necessary platforms for the transfer of technological skills, knowledge and expertise between Namibian researchers, inventors, innovators and international development partners as well as between Namibian creators themselves,
- To improve the reputation of the Commission as a statutory body responsible for coordinating, facilitating and promoting research activities in Namibia, as well as the reputation of researchers by availing research results for the public use and benefits.
The Commission also provides advisory services on intellectual property and traditional knowledge management to researchers and innovators whose research institutions do not have adequate institutional intellectual property and technology transfer policies. The afore-said advisory services are provided to the public free of charge.
