CSIR-NIScPR Hosts National Workshop Celebrating World Intellectual Property Day

New Delhi: The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research – National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR) recently organized a national workshop commemorating World Intellectual Property Day. The event, held at the seminar hall of CSIR-NIScPR S.V. Marg campus, New Delhi, drew the participation of over 250 school students and featured presentations from five distinguished innovators who were honored for their contributions to technology and entrepreneurship.

The theme of the workshop, “IP and SDGs: Innovating for a Shared Future,” underscored the crucial role of intellectual property in fostering innovation and sustainable development. Dr. Kanika Malik, Senior Principal Scientist at CSIR-NISCPR and coordinator of the workshop, provided an insightful introduction to Intellectual Property Rights, emphasizing its significance in national development and encouraging students to explore career opportunities in this field.

Addressing the audience, Prof. Ranjana Aggarwal, Director of CSIR-NIScPR, reflected on India’s historical contributions to global economic prosperity and stressed the need to revitalize domestic technological innovation. She highlighted CSIR’s pivotal role in safeguarding India’s intellectual heritage and reclaiming crucial patents, citing the successful challenge against the patenting of turmeric and basmati rice in the United States as a notable example.

The workshop welcomed Prof. Unnat Pandit, Controller general of Patents Designs and Trademark (CGPDTM), as the Chief Guest, who delivered a keynote address emphasizing the intersection of intellectual property and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Prof. Pandit commended India’s scientific achievements and underscored the importance of initiatives like the National IP Awareness Mission in fostering innovation and awareness.