In January and February 2015, the ACP-Edulink IP4GROWTH partners from Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Senegal each organised a seminar on various topics related to Intellectual Property Rights in order to disseminate the IP-related knowledge acquired during the first IP4GROWTH training module which took place in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) last October, in particular to how it can apply to the situation in their own countries.

- Ivory Coast -

44 participants from the Ministry of Agriculture, Côte d’Ivoire Energie, the FNTSN-CI, the ANAPOCI, the University Félix Houphouët Boigny, University Nangui Abrogoua and several research institutions (CIRES, CNRA, Centre Suisse and IRD), were present in the seminar organised by the Centre Ivoirien de Recherches Economiques et Sociales (CIRES) in Abidjan (Ivory Coast) on January 13th, 2015. The event was reported in the January 26 2015 edition of the “Journal de l’Économie”.

Presentations were given on the general international IP system (including patents and plant varieties) as well as the case in OAPI, Trade marks, Traditional knowledge, Geographic Indications in the EU and in the OAPI system by members of CIRES M. Kramo, Dr. Sobia and Dr. Kouyaté. Furthermore the Ivory Coast Office of Intellectual Property (OIPI) was present through its officer M.Brou who presented the current situation in Ivory Coast and the role of his office.

The feedback from the participants was highly positive, although they suggested future seminars be held over 2 days and that lawmakers be invited as well. They also suggested looking further into the economic benefits from protecting certain products under the IPR systems.

 

- Burkina Faso -

The replication seminar at the Université Ouaga2 was held in Ouagadougou on January 29^th and 30^th 2015. 34 participants were present from the Direction of Research and the Training and Research Units (UFR) of the universities of Ouagadougou and Ouaga2, the University of Koudougou, the CNRST, the l’INERA, the 2ie and the ROPPA.

Professors Nikiema, Salia and Bougouma, as well as Mr Hien (member of OAPI), Mr Zerbo (focal point for GIs in Burkina Faso) and Mr Somda (National Centre for Industrial Property) were in charge of leading the discussions and giving presentations on the international IP system, the OAPI IP system, patents and plant varieties in agriculture, international protection of GIs, trademarks et the GI project in Burkina Faso.

The feedback from participants was very positive, and the Research Director of the Université de Ouagadougou expressed a desire for Professor Nikiema to initiate a project for IP training addressed at doctoral students. This proposal was strongly welcomed by both trainers and participants.

 

- Sénégal -

The replication seminar at the University of Thiès was held on February 18^th, 2015. There were 18 participants from the Centre National de Recherche Agricole du Sénégal (CNRA); l’Agence Nationale de Conseil Agricole (ANCAR); Secteur Agriculture/ Bambey; the Union Régionale des Associations paysannes based in Bambey; professors from the Institut Supérieur de Formation Agricole et Rurale de l’Université de Thiès ; the Directeur of International Cooperation and a journalist from Bambey University, and a member of the press.

The seminar was run by Mr Fall, Mr. Sow and Mr. Sarr, coordinator and members of the IP4GROWTH project in the Unviersity of Thiès. They gave a general presentation on the IP4GROWTH project and its objectives, then gave presentations and led discussions on IP, patents, plant varieties, biopiracy, trademarks, GIs in the EU and the OAPI system, IP in the OAPI system and finally on traditional knowledge and the protection of research data.

There was a high level of satisfaction among the participants. One researcher, a focal point for OAPI, explained the OAPI’s activities that fit in with this training. He congratulated the team on the organisation of this seminar at a time when the international community is mobilising to better take into consideration IP matters. The journalise, representative of Bambey University informed the gathering of the recent creation of the Agence Sénégalais de la Propriété Intellectuelle (ASPI) and recommended they approach it for future collaborations.

As a result of this seminar, the institute’s professors expressed their interest in similar events being held systematically in the Institution for all trainings or seminars to which the representatives of the Institute are invited.