NOTAP TO ESTABLISH IPTT OFFICE AT AE-FUNAI
The National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), Abuja is to establish an Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Office (IPTTO) at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State in its drive to encourage and promote local research and scientific innovations in Nigeria.
This was revealed yesterday when the Director General of the agency, Dr. Dan Azunmi Mohammed and the Chief Executive Officer (Africa) of PZ Cusson, Mr. Christos Giannopoulos visited the University to inspect a scientific laboratory that was equipped through their collaborative efforts.

“The product of the Vice-Chancellor’s astute visit to NOTAP on 4th May, 2018 has led to the approval for the establishment of an Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Office in the University”, the Director-General stated.

He noted that through the NOTAP – Industry Initiative, the agency is bridging the gap between theory and practice in Nigerian Universities through the provision of vital research equipment in collaboration with multinational companies like PZ Cusson.

The Director-General who was represented at the event by the Deputy Director, Consultancy Services, Mr. Dagogo George maintained that government cannot finance developmental projects alone, hence, the need for private sector participation.

While commending the untiring efforts of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba towards the development of the University, he further stated that through the NOTAP-Industry Initiative, they have been able to equip many Scientific and engineering laboratories at different Universities in Nigeria, including the one located at AE-FUNAI.
Also, speaking during the visit, the Chief Executive Officer, Africa, PZ Cusson, Mr. Giannopoulos congratulated the University for been one of the beneficiaries of the synergy between the organization and NOTAP, adding that the equipped laboratory has opened ways for the country to look inwards by tapping the numerous potential that abound among Nigerian academics.
“Through academic/industry partnership, we want to solve the challenges facing the Nigerian economy
We are also prepared to cooperate with you to make it a huge success in the University”, he stated.
The PZ helmsman who was represented by the Head, Research and Development, Africa, Mr. Uchenna Nwakanma, noted that they were also ready to partner the University in order to translate its research works into industrial products to support the local contents of policy of government.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Nwajiuba thnked NOTAP for approving the establishment of an Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Office in the University, stressing that it would enable the institution’s researchers and academics to turn their research works into concrete realities.

The Vice-Chancellor also praised the Management of PZ Cusson for their pioneering role in upgrading technologies in the Nigerian tertiary institutions, which the University has benefited from.
Represented by his deputy, Professor Sunday Elom, the Vice-Chancellor stressed that the University was interested in translating the research findings of its academics into industrial products, and thanked NOTAP for trying to bridge the knowledge gap in the Nigerian education system.
“We are not just interested in having our research works in book shelves and academic journals
“It is in the heart beat of this University to translate our research findings into tangible products and services
“We also wish to thank NOTAP for trying to bridge the intellectual gap in the educational system”, he concluded.
The guests later had a technical session with a team of researchers from the University in order to discover possible areas of partnership.
The highpoint of the visit was the inspection of the equipped laboratory.