Abu Dhabi, 25th January 2014: The Abu Dhabi Technology Development Committee’s (TDC) Takamul innovation support program was awarded with the “Best National Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Policy Award 2013” by the Licensing Executives Society International (LESI) at the LESI’s annual Global Technology Impact Forum, held in Geneva, Switzerland 19th-21st January at the headquarters of the United Nations’ World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The forum was attended by the Director General of WIPO, along with representatives of the World Trade Organization (WTO), The Gates Foundation, and many other technology organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
A key strategic initiative of TDC, The Takamul national innovation support program was created to enable the complete innovation cycle, from the domestic generation of ideas to the practical and commercial application of these ideas into products, solutions and services. The program focuses on two main areas: providing awareness, legal and financial support for intellectual property protection, and enabling the technology transfer and commercialization of IP both locally and internationally.
Accepting the award, Director General of TDC, Ahmed Saeed Al Calily stated: “On behalf of TDC and the Takamul team, I am proud to receive this prestigious award. It is a testament to the success and quality of the initiative that we have been recognized for our efforts to support Abu Dhabi’s desire in becoming a knowledge-based economy”.
Founded in 1965 in the United States, LESI is amongst the most reputable international organizations in the intellectual property and technology licensing space. It is focused on encouraging the highest professional standards in the licensing of technology and intellectual property rights, as well informing government bodies, business communities and the public at large about best practices and the economic significance of licensing. LESI is a non-profit organization, with 32 national and regional society members.
The LESI National IP and Technology Transfer Policy Award is presented to an eligible government, non-government or professional association that contributes to the development and execution of policies to promote intellectual property (IP), licensing and the transfer of technology to spur sustainable and equitable economic growth for the benefit of humanity. It recognizes that entity which has distinguished itself in this regard whether for commercial or humanitarian purpose. Nominations for this award are driven by GTIF participants and the LES National Presidents’ Council. Last year, the award was received by the United States Patent & Trademark Office for its “Patents for Humanity” initiative.
H.E Al Calily added: “Now in its third year, Takamul is becoming a driving force behind the momentum of innovation and invention in science and technology and has expanded its support activities within the entire UAE, making it a national innovation program. To date we are seeing increasingly positive results in terms of international patent applications and in 2013, Takamul launched commercialization and licensing support for inventors, where we are now receiving licensing interest from local and major multinational companies. With Takamul’s contributions, the potential for developing an innovation ecosystem for the UAE is becoming a reality”.
Takamul is credited by local inventors, academia, companies and the Government of Abu Dhabi, as one of the key resources to help aspiring inventors across the UAE, providing support for innovation within knowledge intensive industries such as: Health and Medical, ICT, Clean