IASP WANA exploring technology transfer and IP strategies

Knowledge sharing in the spotlight at the IASP WANA Division & Innovation Technology Transfer Forum (ITTF 2024), held at Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP) from 25-27 November 2024. 
Centred around the theme “The Golden Triangle: The Anchor of Government, Academy, and Industry”, the event set to explore solutions in technology transfer, IP strategies, and sustainable innovation. Members from the region and the local innovation community gathered together to discuss and share how these key sectors can collaborate to drive innovation, IP generation, and economic growth. 

The event was opened by our WANA Division President and CEO of Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park, Hussain Al Mahmoudi, and IASP CEO Ebba Lund.

As emerging technologies like AI and quantum computing evolve, agile IP policies, grants, and incentives are needed to address global challenges and encourage international collaboration. Across the region, a strong push for entrepreneurial mindsets and international collaboration is enabling the creation of scalable, export-ready solutions, ensuring academia, industry, and government work together to drive tech-driven growth.

From the event, a clear message emerged: innovation thrives at the intersection of academia, industry, and government, where Triple Helix collaboration serves as the backbone of success. This goes beyond patents, focusing instead on creating value by driving innovations into the marketplace and ensuring smooth commercialisation pathways. Such collaboration strengthens intellectual property generation, protection, and commercialization, meaning that innovations are not just conceptualised but also effectively implemented.

The event concluded with technical tours of the Park, as well as academic institutions which enrich the ecosystem in Sharjah, including the new facilities of the BEEAH Group Headquarters, a local-born company specialised in sustainable, smart solutions across industries. As one of the smartest and most sustainable buildings in the world, the headquarters is on course to achieving the LEED Platinum certification.

A big thank you to all the panellists and participants for their valuable insights, and to Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTI Park) for bringing us together!