*Masters,PhD students to be trained in intellectual property rights While patenting new innovations is an integral part of universities abroad,the concept is yet to catch up in India. Now,the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has identified patenting as a key factor in its growth and decided to compulsorily train its Masters and PhD students in intellectual property rights (IPR) mechanisms so that they can understand the significance of their research and its commercial value. The aim is to enable future scientists to take informed decisions with respect to their research. It will focus on technology,law and the business dimension of IPR. IIT Bombay has identified that an institutes ranking globally depends to a large extent on the number of patents and publications filed by its faculty and students. It is a reflection of the kind of research activity being done by the institute. We are lagging behind as far as filing patents is concerned, said VSK Murthy Balijepalli,general secretary of academic affairs,PG programmes,IIT Bombay. PhD and Masters students are involved in a lot of major research activities. However,they may not know what aspect of their research is unique and needs to be patented. Hence,the institute recently decided that it will compulsorily train PhD and Masters students in IPR. This will enable them to explore options where research can be patented. They will be able to understand the commercial aspect of their research. The research output will also improve, he said. IIT Bombay has,so far,been granted 110 patents and over 200 patent applications have been filed by its students and researchers. The 14-week course on Introduction to IPR mechanisms will be taught to all Masters and PhD students in their first year. It will be conducted in association with the World Intellectual Property Organisation Academy,a body of the United Nations,through the IPR chair at IIT Bombay. Students will undergo 14 weeks of rigorous training in IP,related rights,patents,copyright,trademark,geographical indications and industrial designs. They will also be trained in the production of new varieties of plans and how to use the IP system for research,among others, added Balijepalli.
