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Innovus Technology Transfer Office welcomes Khulekani Khumalo to its team

Khulekani Khumalo is the latest addition to the Innovus Technology Transfer Office (TTO) at Stellenbosch University. He joined the team as a Technology Transfer Officer. With a strong background in biochemistry and technology transfer, Khulekani brings valuable experience to enhance Innovus’ efforts in commercialising innovative research within the Life Sciences sector.

Khulekani completed his undergraduate studies in Microbiology and Biochemistry at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), followed by an Honours degree in Biochemistry focusing on yeast flocculation promoters. He then obtained a master’sMaster’s degree in Biochemistry.

His professional career began at Rand Water in Pretoria, where he worked as a water scientist for two years before moving to the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC). At CIPC, he served as a patent examiner for five years, specialising in biotech patent applications, ensuring compliance with patent regulations and leading a team responsible for the timely submissions of work products. Khulekani also made significant contributions to legislative reform discussions within the patent space.

Khulekani says he is driven by a desire to offer more support to researchers who want to commercialise their intellectual property and appreciates the holistic nature of technology transfer. “This encompasses not only the transfer of technology but also the processes that follow, such as leveraging and monetising patents,” he said

In his role at Innovus, Khulekani will focus on the life sciences portfolio, promoting IP awareness and engaging with researchers to conduct due diligence on disclosures. He emphasises the importance of active engagement, saying “I believe that one of the most effective ways to support researchers and/or inventors is by actively visiting their spaces of work such as labs, to better understand their work and strengthen relationships.”

Looking ahead, Khulekani strives to become a Registered Technology Transfer Professional (RTTP) and to deepen his expertise. Despite only being with Innovus for a short while, Khulekani has already begun working on initiatives that he believes will enhance the TTO’s capabilities.

Outside of his professional commitments, Khulekani enjoys writing poetry and reading, with a particular admiration for the works of Richard Dawkins and Credo Mutwa. He is married and a proud father of two boys, aged twelve and two, and hopes to find a local soccer team he can join.

Khulekani’s relocation to Cape Town for this position demonstrates his commitment to this role. The TTO team is focused on making sure he feels welcomed and supported as he takes on this exciting new chapter.

To connect with Khulekani, feel free to pop him an email at kkhumalo@sun.ac.za

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