TVET students advised to patent, protect innovations
Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) facilities have been urged to patent their innovations to avoid intellectual property rights violations.
The deputy director of Tvet Frank Mukuna said it is necessary for the institutions to protect whatever they innovate “so that their products do not go the Kiondo way”.
He reminded the institutions that Kiondo (traditional basket) was invented in Kenya but its patent is currently owned by a Korean.
He spoke when he read a speech for the Tvet director Meshack Opwora during the closing of a three-day International Research Conference at the Nyandarua National Polytechnic on Saturday.
Mukuna urged the students of the Nyandarua institution to always be looking for solutions to problems facing people in their localities. Several other polytechnics participated in the second edition conference whose theme was “leveraging skills and innovation for commercialisation and social-economic transformation”.
Innovative minds
Students showcased some of their inventions like an electric scooter, street sweeping machine and a mixture for soap making.
“What has been showcased here shows the level of innovative minds we have in our Tvet institutions. This is the direction we need to go and push further so that Tvet can position itself at the centre of development in this country,” Mukuna said off the curve before reading the director’s speech.
Harness power
Dr Opwora in the speech said in an era marked by rapid technological advancement and ever evolving social-economic landscape the need to harness the power of skills and innovation is paramount.
“Any country that will be ahead (in skills and innovation) space will control the world,” Opwora said.
He said in Kenya and the world, sustainable development hinges on the ability to adapt and innovate. He said Tvet empowers the youth, enhances industries and supports a resilient and inclusive economy.
The chairperson of the Nyandarua National Polytechnic council, Evelyn Wagaiyu challenged the management of the institution to create change using the great and innovative ideas presented during the three-day conference.
The Polytechnic Chief principal Felix Mung’atu said the valuable presentations made during the conference will definitely influence the institution’s strategies going forward.
