University Industry Linkage and Technology Transfer Directorate

The Office of University-Industry Linkage and Technology Transfer (UILTT) is one of the directorates under the Office of Vice President for Research and Technology Transfer. The office is mainly working on searching, adopting, innovating, and transferring appropriate and up-to-date technologies, university-industry collaboration, STEM and entrepreneurship, and business incubation support works.

One of the key roles of the directorate is to facilitate the transfer of university-developed technologies, innovations, and intellectual property to the private sector for commercialization and societal impact. It also establishes and strengthens collaborative partnerships between the university and industry for joint research, development, and innovation initiatives. As an applied science university, we also promote the university's research and technological capabilities to potential industry partners and collaborators. We also support the university's entrepreneurial ecosystem by helping faculty and student innovators protect, market, and license their inventions. In line with this, providing tutoring, mentorship, and supplementary instruction in core STEM subjects to help students succeed in their high school coursework is one of the key areas in which we are currently working.

UILTT is structured to provide service in five pillar aspects: technology transfer, university-industry collaboration, entrepreneurship support, business incubation support, and stem support. The following bulletins give you a flavor of our key roles that are aligned with our center of excellence and MoE regulations.

Technology Transfer:

·       Identify, evaluate, and protect (through patenting or copyrighting) promising technologies and innovations developed by WSU researchers.

·       Market and license university-owned intellectual property to private companies for commercial development and application.

·       Negotiate licensing agreements that are mutually beneficial for the university and industry partners.

·       Provide guidance and support to faculty and student inventors on technology commercialization.

 University-Industry Collaboration:

·       Facilitate the establishment of joint research projects, contract work, and other collaborative initiatives between WSU and industry partners.

·       Organize networking events, workshops, and seminars to connect university researchers with representatives from the private sector.

·       Manage the university's intellectual property and knowledge exchange with industry partners.

Entrepreneurship Support:

               ·       Fostering an entrepreneurial mindset and culture among students, faculty, and the broader university community

               ·       Providing entrepreneurship education, training, and mentorship programs to equip aspiring entrepreneurs with essential business skills

               ·       Organizing entrepreneurship-focused events, competitions, and networking opportunities to identify and support promising student and faculty startups

               ·       Offering guidance on business model development, market assessment, and strategy formulation for university-based ventures

Business Incubation Support:

              ·    Operating a state-of-the-art business incubation facility to house and support early-stage student and faculty startups

              ·    Providing incubatees with access to office space, shared resources, and essential business infrastructure

              ·    Offering hands-on mentorship, coaching, and advisory support from experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts

              ·    Facilitating access to seed funding, investment pitching opportunities, and connections with potential investors and partners

              ·    Organizing workshops, seminars, and peer-to-peer learning sessions to help incubatees develop the necessary skills and knowledge

STEM Support:

·       Providing tutoring, mentorship, and supplementary instruction in core STEM subjects to help students succeed in their coursework.

·       Organizing study groups, peer-to-peer learning sessions, and workshops to foster a collaborative learning environment.

·       Offering academic advice and career guidance to STEM students to help them navigate their educational and professional paths.

·       Organizing STEM-themed clubs, competitions, and hackathons to encourage student engagement and hands-on learning

As has been briefly stated, UILTT is committed to working towards bridging the university's academic and research capabilities with the needs and commercial demands of the students and faculty members. We presume that the directorate is ultimately driving innovation, entrepreneurship, business incubation, and STEM education that trigger socioeconomic development in the country.

Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to call up interested individuals and institutions that share our mission to work collaboratively towards excelling university-industry linkage and technology transfer.

Wubalem Girma Giday (PhD)

Director, University Industry Linkage and Technology Transfer Directorate

Mobile: +251- 949257804

Office:  +251-465514586

E-mail: wubalem85@gmail.com