‘Knowledge is meant to be shared’-Copyright specialist Elizabeth Oyange
Elizabeth Oyange is a lawyer and copyright specialist based at Aga Khan University, Kenya. She speaks to Inspiring Open’s Betty Kankam-Boadu about her journey to being a lawyer and how she found her path into the field of IP and copyright.
Elizabeth Oyange’s path into the world of Intellectual Property started when she unexpectedly landed a job with the BBC in London, working with the global brands and licensing department.
After finishing her masters in law in the UK during the height of the financial crisis in 2008, she had to look for a job. After numerous applications and several interviews, she landed a job with the BBC which would alter her career path.
“This actually shaped my career because they were dealing a lot with licensing of the assets for programme and also issues to do with intellectual property that is how I got my start in the area of IP,” She says.
After about a year and half with the BBC, she came back to Kenya to pursue her career in law a move which was an uphill task.
“That was a challenge. It tested me I didn’t think I would be doing law but sometimes one institution can hold the power to your career no matter what you do there will always be this block”
Oyange despite successfully being called to the bar in Kenya still found her heart beating for intellectual property which wasn’t a booming field in Kenya then.
When she could not find a law firm that specialized in this area. She took the opportunity to work with a Professor at a research centre for intellectual property and technology. That experience convinced her she belonged in the IP sector.
“I approached that professor and I made a passionate plea and I ended up doing a stint at that centre. That was a very eye opener, the professor there was a chemist and he used to specialise in patent, he was very good in patent work. After doing that stint, I knew for sure I will be doing IP”
After taking further courses in the area of IP, she managed to a secure job with Aga Khan University as a Copyright Specialist where she oversees the university’s copyright matters, intellectual property training and consultation. She describes the job opportunity at Aga Khan as destiny.
“Maybe it was destiny. I never did intend to go into a law firm. After working in that research centre, I loved working in academia. I wanted a position that would allow me not only to do research, but also to teach.” Oyange says.
She is passionate about intellectual property’s intersection with traditional knowledge, culture and technology.
She strongly believes “that knowledge is meant to be shared. And life is so much easier when we have access to information when we need it, particularly in research.” So she spends her time training and simplifying the copyright processes especially for publisher and pushing for open access which is crucial.
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