Kohima, May 29 (MExN): A one-day workshop on the theme “Importance of IPR in Academic Institutions” was organised today at Nagaland University, headquarters Lumami on May 29. The inaugural programme was held at the Department of Economics, chaired by Dr A Paul, Asst Professor, Department of Botany. The programme began with an invocation led by Hoto N. Achumi. Prof B Kilangla Jamir, Dean, RDC, extended a hearty welcome to the gathering.
Prof Dipak Sinha, Nodal Officer, IPR Cell and Convener of the workshop briefly highlighted the purpose of the one-day workshop who mentioned that the one-day workshop would be limited to discussions on the patents, he said. He explained the concept of patents and gave examples of patents from the state of Nagaland, Naga King Chilli.
Short speeches were delivered by Dr T Zarenthung, HoD, Department of Economics, Prof Sangyu Yaden, Dean, School of Sciences, and Prof MK Sinha, Dean, School of Social Sciences. Dr T Zarenthung dwelt on the history and development of IPR while Prof Sangyu Yaden focused on the definition and related aspects of IPR. Prof MK Sinha pointed out that the purpose of a University, among other academic activities, is to generate ideas, which in turn is converted into assets. Patents obtained by the University will help in national rankings, generation of revenue as well as attracting more funds for research and development. Stating that IPR is getting the creation of the mind legally protected, Dr Abemo, Registrar, wished the workshop a grand success.
Prof Pardeshi Lal, Vice-Chancellor, congratulated the organizers for making a good beginning and hoped that it will be taken forward. In his address, Prof Pardeshi Lal dwelt on the history of the evolution of IPR since copyright was granted for the first time in 1474. He also touched upon the Paris Convention of 1883, on patents, trademarks, industrial designs, utility models, service marks, trade names, geographical indications and the repression of unfair competition.
This international agreement was the first major step taken to help creators ensure that their intellectual works were protected in other countries. He then pointed out that India acceded to the Paris Convention in 1998. He also talked about the process of applying for patents, and how patent protection is granted for a limited period, generally 20 years, from the filing date of the application.
The inaugural programme was followed by two technical sessions. In the first session, Ilika Zhimo, NEIST Jorhat spoke on “Intellectual Property Rights with Special Reference to Patents” and “IP Management” by Prof Purna Baruah, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat. In the second session Dr RL Goswamee, NEIST, Jorhat and Dr Nurul A Choudhury, Asst Professor, Department of Chemistry spoke on “How to write an Indian Patent” and “Submission of US Patent – An Author’s Perspective” respectively. This was stated in a press release issued by Peter Ki, PRO to Nagaland University.
In the concluding session, Dr Pranjal Bharali, Asst Professor, Department of Environmental Science, presented a summary of the workshop. The workshop was organized by the IPR Cell, Nagaland University in commemoration of 25 years of the celebration of Nagaland University, with a view to creating awareness about IPR among students, research scholars and faculty of the University and nearby academic institutions.
