AN INTERVIEW WITH BOLA OLABISI – MANAGING DIRECTOR OF GWIIN

Interview Questions

1. WHAT LED YOU TO ESTABLISH GLOBAL WOMEN INVENTORS AND INNOVATORS (GWIIN)? 

I established GWIIN following the success of the British Female Inventor of the Year Award which I set up seven years ago. I wanted a unique initiative which prides itself with promoting, raising awareness, recognising and celebrating the achievements of women inventors and innovators. Women all over the world are constantly bringing practical solutions to our lives by coming up with ideas that make our lives so much easier. 

Until GWIIN started to take on the promotion of women inventors there was really nothing of much significance in place that really put the spotlight on women’s contribution to the economy or brought the importance of intellectual property rights to women in this celebratory way worldwide.


2. WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR GWIIN? 

I will like to see a branch of GWIIN in as many countries as possible – conferences that raise awareness and encourage women into areas of creativity, invention & innovation. I will like to see more GWIIN Awards for women who have taken their ideas and faced the challenges of bringing it to reality. I will like to see women becoming more aware of the importance of protecting their valuable ideas. I will like to see GWIIN acting as a consultant to governments in realising the sheer amount of untapped skills in inventive & innovative women and that no doubt that womens success is vital to national economies and contributes to the development of all nations. 


3. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE DIFFICULTIES YOU HAVE ENCOUNTERED IN GAINING RECOGNITION FOR GWIIN? 

Lots… Lots…. Lots….Lack of recognition…Opposition………..Lack of support from those that can really make a difference…..the lot. I believe I have gone through the process that most inventors go through – very hard to get people to buy a new idea as it has no track record. It is hard work convincing people especially those who are narrow minded and have difficulties in broadening their minds in seeing prospects in a new commercially viable initiative or product. 

The greatest difficulty has been opposition from those who are in a way unethical when they scent an upstart with a good idea. The great thing about GWIIN is that the women know that they have a whole network of women behind them. 

I have been surrounded by those who really believe in the mission of GWIIN and through their words of wisdom, encouragement and mentoring GWIIN has grown to what it is today. There were hard times when I would really want to throw in the towel – but the thoughts never lingered on for too long….My team and I are always back at the table thinking of many ways on developing GWIIN. 


4. WHAT QUALITIES DO YOU SEE IN THE WOMEN WHO HAVE BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED BY GWIIN THAT HAVE ENABLED THEM TO SUCCEED AS INVENTORS AND INNOVATORS? 

Perseverance, commitment, dedication and a clear focus on achieving success.

5. WHY DO YOU THINK WOMEN HAVE TO OVERCOME MORE HURDLES THAN MOST MEN IN BECOMING SUCCESSFUL INVENTORS AND INNOVATORS? ARE WOMEN CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING FEWER BARRIERS IN THE INDUSTRY AS OPPOSED TO THOSE TEN YEARS AGO, WITH RESPECT TO LAUNCHING THEIR INVENTION AND TRADING IT INTERNATIONALLY? 

There are some women in the world who will disagree that women have to overcome more hurdles than most men. This will of course depend on their backgrounds and the opportunities that have been made available to them. 

We live in a world that values high tech, science & engineering – in order to get accessibility to government grants etc…many find it necessary for the invention to fall into these categories …. these are areas that have not been traditionally attractive to women. Women are however demonstrating extraordinary achievements against all odds and there does appear to be a significant increase in women participating in these areas and global trading and yielding greater better productivity, profitability bringing economic growth. The barriers are still there however I believe women are more confident and m


6. WHAT HAS BEEN THE FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION OF WOMEN’S INNOVATIONS AND INVENTIONS TO THE BRITISH ECONOMY IN THE LAST YEAR? 

I wish I could tell you – we have tried to get those figures too – I must say that only until recently data of this nature was never felt neccessary – we are asking and deeply disappointed that these figures can not be made available as it makes it more difficult to make a case with evidence for the need to ensure that there is true equal opportunities and the importance for diversity. 


7. DO YOU SEE A NEED FOR INVENTION/INNOVATION SKILLS BEING DEVELOPED IN YOUTH IN A SCHOOL SETTING? ARE YOU SATISFIED WITH THE CURRENT LEVEL OF SUCH UNDERTAKINGS? 

Yes, however the current school system would need to have more of an appreciation for the various levels and capabilities for learning and encourage more problem solving, imagination and innovation.

There is a need to encourage more thematic experimental learning by combining the social interactive experiences of a exploring the world of ideas generation and invention at several levels.

It is due to identifying this need that made me to set up the GWIIN Youth Summer Camp.

8. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MAJOR ISSUES RELATING TO PROTECTING AND PROMOTING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY? 

There are quite a few challenges that relate to the protecting of patents and there are constant discussions on the system and the costs involved. The tendency for infringements by big dinasours on lone inventors and the huge legal costs involved in seeking justice, financial liberation …..it goes on. It was in order to raise more awareness of issues such as these that encouraged me to initiate and present FEMALE INVENT 2003 – the global conference and awards for inventive and innovative women. 


9. WHAT HAVE BEEN SOME OF THE MORE MEMORABLE TRIUMPHS OF WOMEN THAT GWIIN HAS CELEBRATED? 

There have been so many and I simply would find it difficult to mention a few and not the others……I shall therefore keep it brief - it would be the women’s sheer ability to share their experiences and provide each other with moral support as they go through what usually is a road full of potholes before they eventually become successful. 

GWIIN has celebrated many trials and tribulations with these incredible and fascinating women while using the conferences, exhibition and awards ceremonies as a vehicle to put the spotlight on their very achievements.