Innovation Office

The Innovation Office at Qatar University oversees intellectual property protection, promotes technology transfer, and supports the commercialization of research innovations, contributing to the transformation of research outputs into practical applications with economic value and societal impact. The Office provides its services to faculty members, researchers, and students through an integrated system for intellectual property management, while also fostering strategic partnerships with external stakeholders to strengthen the university’s innovation ecosystem and enhance its overall impact.

What Do We Do?

Intellectual Property Protection

We help you register patents and protect your ideas before publication.

Receiving and Evaluating Inventions

We review your idea and determine its protectability and the appropriate next steps.

Collaboration with the Industrial Sector

We assist in licensing technologies and establishing research partnerships.

Commercialization of Intellectual Property

We support inventors in promoting their innovations through:

Presenting inventions at forums, events, and specialized exhibitions.
Promoting technologies to interested entities.
Assisting in drafting and reviewing intellectual property licensing agreements.

View examples of inventions presented at exhibitions

When Should You Contact Us?

If you have an invention, please contact us before:

Publishing a scientific paper.
Presenting your research findings at a conference.
Sharing the idea with an external party.

Important Note: It is important to note that publishing the idea or publicly disclosing it before protecting it may prevent the registration of a patent.

How Do I Submit an Invention?

Submission

Fill out the Invention Disclosure Form on the Sophia Platform.

Review

The office will review the request and inform you of the next steps.

Evaluation & Decision

The Intellectual Property Committee evaluates the invention and determines the appropriate registration path, such as a provisional patent application, a PCT application, or other options.

Submitting a Disclosure Request

To submit your invention disclosure, please follow these steps:

If you have an account on the Sophia Platform, you can log in and submit your intellectual property disclosure request.
If you do not have an account, please request one by sending an email to: QU.IP@qu.edu.qa

* The Innovation Office staff will create an account for you and send the login details via email.

User Guide for Submitting a Request

Who Owns the Invention?

It is subject to the Intellectual Property Policy and Procedures approved by the university if the idea was developed:

As part of your work at the university.
Using university facilities or resources.
Within a funded research project.

For Students

If you have an innovative idea in your graduation project or research, contact us early to protect your idea before it is published or presented.

For External Partners

Entities interested in collaborating with Qatar University or licensing its technologies may contact us directly to explore partnership opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions About Intellectual Property

What Are the Requirements for Patent Registration?

For an invention to obtain a patent, it must meet the following conditions:

Novelty: The invention must be new and not previously published or disclosed anywhere in the world.
Inventive Step (Non-obviousness): The invention must not be obvious to a person skilled in the same field.
Industrial Applicability: The invention must be capable of practical use or industrial application.

What Does a Patent Grant to the Owner?

A patent grants its owner the exclusive right to use the invention or allow others to use it during the protection period. The patent owner can also:

License the invention to other parties under agreed conditions.
Sell the rights of the invention to another party.

What Is the Duration of Patent Protection?

The protection period for a patent is usually 20 years from the filing date (in most countries).

Does a Patent Apply in All Countries?

No. A patent is a territorial right. Protection only applies in the countries where the patent application has been filed and granted.

What Happens If a Research Paper Is Published Before Filing a Patent?

Publishing or publicly disclosing the invention before filing a patent application may result in the loss of the possibility of protection in most countries. Therefore, it is recommended to contact the Innovation Office before publication.

Inventor Responsibilities

To ensure the protection of the invention and increase its commercialization potential, it is recommended to:

Disclose the invention to the Innovation Office through the Sophia Platform.
Contact the office before discussing the invention with external parties.
Inform the office of any scientific publication or industry collaboration related to the invention.
Cooperate with the Innovation Office and patent attorneys during the patent application process.

Activities and Events

The Innovation Office organizes workshops and awareness sessions on intellectual property and innovation for QU community. This includes:

Workshops on patent registration.
Awareness sessions on intellectual property rights.
Seminars on technology transfer and innovation commercialization.
Participation in exhibitions and research forums.

Useful Links for Inventors

Contact Us

If you are affiliated with Qatar University and would like to submit an invention or inquire about intellectual property protection procedures, you can contact us:

Location: Research Complex Building (H10), Ground and First Floor – Office (G118) and (G208).

Email: QU.IP@qu.edu.qa

Phone: +974-4403-7197 | +974-4403-6813