Assessing the commercialization of university research projects among academic staff in Makerere University: a case of Makerere University College of Health Sciences

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to explore the commercialization of university research projects by academic staff in the College of Health Sciences at Makerere University. The qualitative research method was used against an exploratory research design. Using the formula by Yamane (1967), the sample size was 17 academic staff. A purposive technique sampling technique was used because the study targeted a specific college and only the staff that are actively involved in academic research. An interview guide was deployed as the best instrument to gather information exhaustively considering the complexity of the topic. The data was examined by content analysis using both NVIVO and ATLAS software. The policies affecting commercialization of research projects at in the college were intellectual property management policy (2008); research and innovation policy (2008); intellectual property act; research and innovation policy (2008); copy right law of Uganda; the policy of restricting staff to only work only Makerere university academic programs with the exception of a few people and; patent act. The barriers to commercialization of research projects were: limited financial support and funding; limited finances and capital; financial constraints; limited incentives; poor orientation; low commitment; limited experience and skills; limited policies on research commercialization; lengthy process in obtaining legal rights; limited infrastructure; limited understanding of products and services; inadequate government support; lack of training in intellectual property laws; no commercialization office at the college; too many conditions from funders (foreign and local); and a few others. The recommendations for the commercialization of university research projects by academic staff according to the participants were: training of staff about the commercialization process; encourage researcher to commercialize research; create incentive forums to aid the understanding of commercialization; seek more funding; seek government support; negotiate for better conditions from funders; there reach out to all stakeholders; optimize the commercialization process; establish a research commercialization office at the college; establishing a commercialization incubation centre; initiate a committee for beefing up the commercialization of research projects; improve the profit-sharing ratios from the copyrights; encourage multidisciplinary approach; reduce bureaucracy and; awareness campaigns among citizens on the importance of health science products and services.