2nd International Forum on Patents Licensing and Technology Transfer Concludes in UAE
04-Dec-2011
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Special to ag-IP-news Agency
SHARJAH - The 2nd International Forum on Patents Licensing and Technology Transfer in the Arab region was concluded at Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry under the title “Licensing Opportunities Forum 2011”.
The two-day Forum was held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasmi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, who deputized Mr. Ahmad Bin Mohammad Al Madfa’a, Chairman of Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry, to attend the Forum.
Attendees also included HE Mr. Abdul Rahman Al Jarwan, Advisor to the Ruler of Sharjah, Mr. Hussein Mohammad Al Mahmoudi, Director-General of Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Dr. Ali Ibrahim Al Hosani, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Economy and HE Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, Chairman of Licensing Executives Society- Arab Countries as well as prominent figures and guests.
The Forum was organized by the Arab Science and Technology Foundation (ASTF) and the Licensing Executives Society –Arab Countries (LES-AC) in association with the Federation of GCC Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UN-ESCWA).
In his speech, Dr. Abdulla Abdul Aziz Najjar- ASTF President - said that Arabs are capable of participating in the production of knowledge and technology, "therefore, we should make a qualitative transition from just talking about technology to focusing on commercialization of technology and knowledge to transform innovations into market products fulfilling the needs of economy and community," he said.
On his part, Mr. Hussein Mohammad Al Mahmoudi, Director-General of Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry, said "The prudent leadership of UAE paid the utmost attention to science and technology since the inception of the Federation, which helped the state assume advanced positions and receive positive evaluation by international evaluation institutions. Technology is the main engine for any human advancement and the most important element of power and control and welfare is achieved through inventions."
HE Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, LES-AC Chairman, delivered a speech in which he praised the patronage of the Forum by HH Sheikh Dr. Sultan Al Qasmi, and congratulated the State’s wise leadership on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the UAE.
Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh said that it is necessary to convert to investment in and commercialization of innovations and transforming them into Arab products, indicating that the Arab region suffers substantial emptiness in relation to venture capital companies and trusts searching for inventions with investment feasibility.
Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh announced the launching of a strategic initiative for the commercialization of inventions in the Arab world in cooperation between the Arab Science and Technology Foundation and the Licensing Executives Society –Arab Countries, through building a web-based database for Arab inventors to showcase their creations and to promote venture capital arrangements for partnering with those inventors. He stressed on promoting this initiative in various means including making LES-Arab countries’ motto: The Arab organization for marketing Arab inventions, coordinating with ASREN (Arab Science and Research in Education Network) to promote research and development and inventions at universities, coordinating with AROQAE (Arab Organization for Quality Assurance in Education) for enhancing quality of education towards research and development at universities, promoting expertise in this field through the ACIPLP (Arab Certified Intellectual Property Licensing Professional) qualification offered by LES –AC, creating greater awareness through the LES-AC publications regarding the importance of knowledge creation for wealth creation and helping inventors meet their needs for IP protection.
Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh conveyed his warm regards and gratitude to HH Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasmi for his wise leadership, patronage and contribution to science advancing, arts and culture in this country and beyond, which made him truly the “scientist prince”.
In conclusion, Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh stated that our Arab-Islamic culture taught us that: “Good knowledge serves good work”, and “useful knowledge is an honorable deed”, and that “Scientists are themselves the workers”.