WIPO–UGHE Collaboration on Institutional IP Policy in Rwanda

Medical technologies play a critical role in addressing global and local public health challenges today. Universities play a strategic role in the development of these technologies, especially in the earlier stages, nurturing the talent, skills and medical research infrastructure required to develop and produce medical technologies. The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) for its part contributes by supporting countries to develop the intellectual property (IP) and innovation ecosystem required to incentivize, protect and commercialize locally developed medical technologies.

The University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) in Rwanda has made a commitment to support equitable health systems through academic excellence and innovation. A critical component of this mission is the development of a robust institutional IP Policy, a milestone made possible through a strategic collaboration with WIPO.

Recognizing the increasing relevance of IP in health innovation and the unique needs of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), UGHE worked closely with WIPO to develop a comprehensive and context-sensitive IP Policy. This policy not only aligns with international best practices but also remains deeply rooted in UGHE’s mission to promote health equity, responsible innovation, and capacity development.

How it started

Before the project commenced, UGHE lacked a formal institutional IP policy. However, it had a rising research profile, particularly through its flagship East Africa Biodesign (EAB) program. This growth highlighted the absence of a unified framework for managing IP ownership, disclosure, protection, and commercialization. UGHE’s collaboration with WIPO aimed to fill this critical gap by creating a policy that would establish clear IP management practices, define ownership structures, and introduce equitable commercialization pathways aligned with the public interest.

The journey began with a comprehensive Institutional Assessment Report using tools such as the WIPO IP Policy Writer’s Checklist and the WIPO legal assessment survey. This stage also included consultations with students, faculty, and legal teams; benchmarking against institutional IP practices in countries such as India, Kenya, South Africa and the United States and reviewing key internal documents such as employment and fellowship contracts. The assessment revealed that UGHE had promising but fragmented practices and there was a need for broader awareness and institutional capacity to manage its growing IP outputs effectively.

Drafting the Policy

Building on the institutional assessment’s recommendations, WIPO provided technical assistance in drafting UGHE’s first-ever Institutional IP Policy, which was finalized in June 2025. Leveraging WIPO’s IP Policy Template for Academic and Research Institutions and its Guide on Incentives, the UGHE IP policy was tailored to reflect both international best practices and the unique local realities of a private, non-profit university committed to health equity operating in an LMIC context. The resulting policy sets forth a comprehensive governance and operational framework built on the principles of transparency, equity, and responsible knowledge transfer.

As part of its comprehensive support to UGHE, WIPO facilitated the delivery of three key institutional outputs that now form the backbone of the university’s new IP management framework: the Institutional IP Policy, an Invention Disclosure Form, and a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document. The IP Policy outlines clear rules on IP ownership, protection, commercialization, and benefit-sharing, ensuring alignment with international standards while remaining responsive to UGHE’s equity-driven mission. To operationalize the policy, an Invention Disclosure Form was introduced to guide researchers in systematically reporting innovations for potential protection and commercialization. Complementing both, the FAQ document addresses common queries from faculty, students, and partners, providing accessible guidance on topics ranging from IP rights and responsibilities to practical procedures for disclosure and licensing. Together, these tools form an integrated package designed to promote institutional clarity, user awareness, and long-term sustainability.

Supporting UGHE in the development of its institutional IP policy has been an inspiring example of how IP frameworks can be aligned with a university’s mission to advance health equity. By embedding principles of access, inclusion, and responsible innovation, the policy provides a solid foundation to help UGHE manage and share its medical innovations in ways that serve both the local community and the broader global health ecosystem.

Lien Verbauwhede, Counsellor, Technology Transfer Section, World Intellectual Property Organization

Lessons for other institutions

The experience of UGHE provides a valuable and replicable model for other academic and research institutions across Africa and in similar LMIC settings seeking to build institutional capacity in innovation and IP management. Key takeaways from this initiative include:

• Start with a tailored institutional assessment: Understanding the local legal framework, institutional culture, and existing practices is essential to designing a policy that is fit for purpose.
• Ensure institutional ownership: For successful implementation, the policy must be embraced and owned by the institution itself, not simply delivered by external actors.
• Prioritize awareness and stakeholder participation: Early and consistent engagement with internal stakeholders leads to better alignment, relevance and smoother implementation.
• Plan for sustainability: Establishing governance structures, capacity-building pathways, and monitoring frameworks is critical for long-term success.

In line with WIPO’s aim to empower innovation ecosystems in LMICs, the UGHE collaboration demonstrates how institutional IP policy development can serve as a lever for public health impact. It not only strengthens the university’s ability to manage and protect its intellectual assets but also ensures that the outputs of academic research are translated into real-world solutions.

Looking ahead

As UGHE continues to expand its research and innovation footprint, the Institutional IP Policy will serve as a dynamic, living document which evolves with the University’s growing needs and ambitions. With ongoing technical support and the cultivation of strategic partnerships, WIPO remains committed to playing a long-term role in strengthening institutional IP capacity across LMICs. The UGHE experience goes beyond a standard policy intervention; it reflects a practical and collaborative effort to align institutional processes with the broader goal of advancing health equity through innovation.

As our biodesign students developed their new medical products, we realized we needed an IP policy to help us resolve ownership issues between the university, medical faculty and students. With assistance from WIPO, we now have the tools to manage, protect, and share our knowledge in ways that benefit both our local community and the global health system.

Agaba Don King, Legal Counsel, University of Global Health Equity