Two Day Workshop on Patenting Strategies and IP Clinic held at Central University of Punjab

Bathinda, March 27, 2024: To spread awareness about the patent system and the steps involved in filing patents, the Intellectual Property Rights Cell and the Institution’s Innovation Council of the Central University of Punjab, in collaboration with the Innovation Technology Transfer Office Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer – IIT Delhi, organized a workshop titled ‘Patenting Strategies’ along with an IP Clinic last week.

The event, conducted under the patronage of Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari, was attended by 100 students, PhD scholars, and faculty members from Biological Sciences, Computational Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Physical Sciences.

The workshops were supported by the Punjab State Council of Science and Technology (PSCST), Chandigarh. During this workshop, IP clinics were also organized to answer specific questions of the participants and to clear their doubts about the patenting process.

The objective of this program was to inform participants about the patent systems in India, the filing routes for investors, and the support provided by the IPR Cell. Participants received hands-on training to mine patent literature and identify potential research areas.

The participants of this workshop had the opportunity to interact with experts during lecture sessions. The inaugural session of this workshop was presided over by Prof. R.K. Wusirika, Dean Incharge Academics. On the first day, participants were trained in Patenting Strategies and Patent Search Exercises for Inventions in Biological Sciences. Dr. Akshay Nag, CEO, CUPRDF, briefed on how incubators propel startups to success, while Prof. Balwinder Sooch, Professor – IPR Chair, Punjabi University, Patiala, discussed the scope of IP Production in Academia. On the second day, participants were trained in Patenting Strategies and Patent Search Exercises for Inventions in Computational, Chemical, Pharmaceutical, and Physical Sciences. Mr. Kushal Singla, founder of SR Industries, a startup in agro-processing, shared his success story, and Ms. Divya Kaushik discussed IP Protection and Management in Academic Research. Dr. Preeti Khetarpal shared details about the IPR Cell and IP Policy of the Central University of Punjab on both days. Pragti Agarwal and Reema Sahni from iTTO, FIIT, IIT Delhi, elaborated on patent search strategies and provided hands-on training through exercises.

Post lecture sessions, Reema Sahni, Head, iTTO, along with the team of Anju Chaudhary, SRF, PIC, PSCST, Chandigarh, conducted an IP Clinic, where faculty and research scholars discussed their concerns with Patent Filing and IPR Experts.

Towards the end of this workshop, Prof. Monisha Dhiman, President IIC, and Director IQAC, expressed her gratitude to the expert speakers for sharing valuable insights and to the participants for making this event a success.