IPTI Update: Training on IP & Agriculture in Ethiopia
November 29, 2022
The first training of trainers on intellectual property (IP) and agriculture, within the WIPO Academy IP Training Institutions (IPTIs) project was held from November 7 to 11, 2022 in Ethiopia. The training was jointly organized by the WIPO Academy and the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Authority as part of the cooperation for the establishment of the National IP Academy of Ethiopia, which is one of 16 WIPO IPTIs under development.
The training of trainers was held in person in Addis Ababa for the benefit of 38 national IP experts from different regions of Ethiopia, who will act as future trainers at the National IP Academy of Ethiopia.
Participants and speakers at the training of trainers focused on IP and agriculture in Ethiopia.
Photo: Ethiopian Intellectual Property Authority
Participants working together on group exercise during the training of trainers on IP and agriculture in Ethiopia.
Photo: Ethiopian Intellectual Property Authority
Participants working together on group exercise during the training of trainers on IP and agriculture in Ethiopia.
Photo: Ethiopian Intellectual Property Authority
What did the training of trainers cover?
Participants learned about the different IP rights and their protection strategies in the agricultural sector, an important sector in the country, as well as practical skills on how to draft and present an IP training program for key stakeholders. This follows the IPTIs goal of tailor-made training to meet national needs and priorities. Topics covered included, among others:
- IP, food security and climate change;
- IP strategies in the digital transformation of the agribusiness towards green innovation; and
- Plant variety protection in Ethiopia.
Without a doubt, the formation of the IP Academy is critical in promoting IP awareness and bridging the gap between many stakeholders in the national innovation system in Ethiopia. The second phase of the training of trainers program, titled “IP and Leveraging Agricultural Innovation” paves the road for trainees to get an in-depth and complete grasp of IP. It also reflects the need for creating an IP academy in Ethiopia to better exploit the comparative advantage the country has in the agriculture sector.
Ermias Y. Hailemariam, Director General of the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Authority
You can’t imagine how blessed and happy I am with the training, and much of a great impact it had. A wonderful network has been established and IP friendships have been created through it.
Sanaz Javadi Farahzadi, speaker and IP trainer at the training of trainers in Ethiopia