Her doctoral research focused on trademark law reform within the African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO): lessons from the international trademark system and from regional experiences (OAPI and European Union) — a field directly aligned with NUST’s strategic thrust towards the commercialisation and industrialisation of innovations.
Dr Chikowore’s expertise positions heras a critical asset in shaping policies that will help NUST protect, scale-up and monetise our research outputs.
“We have gained not only a distinguished scholar but also a visionary leader whose expertise will accelerate the University’s journey towards becoming a hub of innovation, industrialisation and global competitiveness,” said NUST Council Chairperson, Professor Lindiwe Majele Sibanda.
“On behalf of NUST Council and the entire University Community, I wish to congratulate Dr Chikowore for passing her doctorate with flying colours.”
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Mqhele E. Dlodlo welcomed the appointment of Dr Chikowore into NUST Council adding that she brings new expertise and rich global experience.
“Her appointment comes at a time the University is focusing on moving beyond innovations to commercialisation and industrialisation. With expertise in IP and innovation development, she will give proper guidance and policy direction to our Innovation and Business Development,” said Prof Dlodlo.
He added that Dr Chikowore’s diplomatic experience will strength NUST’s internationalisation policy thrust.
Dr Chikowore is recognised as a key figure in IP education in Africa, having spearheaded the creation of a Master’s Degree in IP at Africa University, for which she received an Honorary Degree in IP in 2025.
“I am honoured to have completed my PhD in Laws at the University of Geneva with distinction, summa cum laude — an achievement that reflects decades of dedication to intellectual property, education, and innovation,” said Dr Chikowore.
“I am deeply humbled by the trust the Government has placed in me through this appointment to the NUST Council. I pledge to use my experience to ensure that our research is protected, commercialised, and transformed into innovations that drive industrialisation, enhance Zimbabwe’s global competitiveness, and create meaningful social impact at home and internationally,” she said.
From humble beginnings, she built a distinguished career spanning over four decades in government, diplomacy and international institutions, including 21 years at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and another 21 years at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a specialised agency of the United Nations.
At WIPO, she rose to senior leadership roles and became a driving force in advancing global IP education, spearheading transformative Master’s programmes such as the WIPO–ARIPO–Africa University Master’s in IP (2008) and the WIPO–WTO Colloquia for IP Teachers and Researchers (2004).
Dr Chikowore’s appointment to NUST Council comes at a pivotal time for NUST, as she will help the University craft robust IP frameworks to safeguard innovations from faculties and research centres.
With her background in IP licensing and trademark law, she will guide NUST in transforming research outputs into market-ready products and services.
Dr Chikowore’s diplomatic and WIPO experience opens doors for NUST to collaborate with international institutions, enhancing the University’s global visibility and strengthening capacity building and human capital development.
She is a holder of an LLM in Intellectual Property Law, an MBA, and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
Dr Chikowore is a thought leader who has co-authored the Intellectual Property Monograph on Zimbabwe (2013, 2018), contributed to leading IP textbooks and journals, and recently published a chapter on IP licensing frameworks in Africa in the Research Handbook on IP Licensing (2025).
Her article in the European Intellectual Property Review (September 2024) further underscores her influence in shaping IP discourse globally.