Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : University Grants Commission (UGC) on January 17, 2022, organised an online workshop for Universities and Colleges on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) under the iconic week of Ministry of Education.
Neeta Prasad, Joint Secretary (ICC & Vig.) Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Rajendra Ratnoo, Joint Secretary, DPIIT & CGPDTM, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, and Prof. Rajnish Jain, Secretary, UGC, addressed the inaugural session.
Delivering the welcome address, Prof. Rajnish Jain, Secretary, UGC, highlighted the importance of IPR and its importance in the image of the country and its relevance in building the knowledge pool of the country and its legal aspects. He threw light on the historical aspect of India’s position as creator and innovator.
Delivering the Special Address, Neeta Prasad, Joint Secretary (ICC & Vig.) Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, stressed on importance of Intellectual Property as foundation of innovation, research, and creativity. She said that necessary steps have been taken in India to create a robust innovation and IPR culture in the country which has resulted in significantly improving the relevant innovation and IP numbers, be it the IP filing, IP grant, and IP disposals. However, inspite of all changes India is behind a lot of countries in terms of IPR. She stressed that the reason could be a lack of awareness in students for filing of patents, according to a PIB release.
Prasad talked about the Government’s initiative in the areas like the KAPILA programme launched for IP literacy and awareness in October 2020 and the reduction in the fee for filing the patent. She concluded by suggesting that the way forward was proactively protecting knowledge and inventions by respective IPRs not only in India but also in other countries.
Keynote address was delivered by Rajendra Ratnoo, Joint Secretary, DPIIT & CGPDTM, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, who said that there is a need for converting energy into synergy by coming together. He said that there was a need to collaborate instead of working in silos. He further stressed that innovation and creation in both art and science need to be promoted and that collective cultural heritage needs to be protected. He further said that partnership between industry, academia, and registry of IPR is importance.
The inaugural session was followed by the technical session which was addressed by experts from the field of IP that gave an overview on the theme.
Dr. Usha Rao, Assistant Controller of Patents & Designs, presented an overview of Intellectual Property Rights. She provided an insight into the need and importance of IPR and the different types of IP and their governing bodies. She also shed light on the various acts and rules of IPR in India.