Back in Action: WIPO-WTO Colloquium for IP Teachers
November 5, 2021
After a yearlong hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the WIPO-WTO Colloquium for Teachers of IP is back with its 17th edition, which is taking place virtually from November 1 to 12, 2021. The colloquium is a two-week activity that focuses on intellectual property (IP) and relevant teaching methodologies jointly organized by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) since 2004.
WIPO Deputy Director General Mr. Hasan Kleib and WTO Deputy Director General Ms. Anabel Gonzalez gave the opening address at the colloquium on November 1, 2021 highlighting the key role of educators in the future of the IP system.
WIPO’s vision is a world where innovation and creativity from anywhere is supported by intellectual property, for the good of everyone. We see educators such as yourselves as a vital part of making this vision a reality on the ground. You are at the forefront of these efforts.
Mr. Hasan Kleib, WIPO Deputy Director
In making balanced IP systems, the scholarly community has a critical role to play in analysing how best to adapt and reconsider the broad principles of the IP system across a wide diversity of economic, social, cultural and technological contexts.
Ms. Anabel Gonzalez, WTO Deputy Director General
The colloquium is an opportunity for university teachers and researchers to enhance their IP knowledge and skills to support their countries’ independent research, policy analysis and teaching in the field of IP law.
A total of 30 teachers and researchers representing 28 countries, in addition to 25 colloquium alumni who submitted research papers for the 2020 WIPO-WTO Colloquium Papers are participating in the colloquium.
What will the WIPO-WTO Colloquium cover?
The WIPO-WTO Colloquium gives participants the opportunity to engage in discussions about current issues in IP law and policy with peers, and with more than 40 expert lecturers from WIPO, WTO, other intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, the private sector and renowned universities around the globe.
Throughout the colloquium, participants are invited to introduce specific topical IP areas and challenges that are currently under active debate or review in their respective countries or regions, particularly relating to the COVID-19 pandemic .
The program of the colloquium covers a wide range of IP related legal and policy issues, such as:
- IP and economic and social development;
- The role of IP in public health, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic;
- IP and emerging technologies in the digital environment;
- IP and biotechnology;
- Competition policy and IP;
- From university research to IP commercialization; and
- New teaching methodologies and skills-development during COVID-19.
Reactions from past participants
" The WIPO-WTO Colloquium for Teachers of IP has fostered not only awareness to international and comparative IP systems, but also sensitivity to the different national realities and local challenges, all of which make studying and researching the issues more interesting and exciting."
— Allan Rocha de Souza (Brazil)
" The WIPO-WTO Colloquium for Teachers of IP is a great platform where I have been nurtured and groomed in my academic career as senior lecturer in the field of IP. The quality of the presentations and the updates provided on international standards and global debates, are valuable tools for professional development. The subsequent academic cooperation with IP teachers from around the globe is a rich network for edification through exchanges and fruitful discussions. Thanks to WIPO and WTO for organizing and inviting me! "
— Caroline Joelle Nwabueze (Cameroon)
" The colloquium offers a two-week intellectual feast on key IP topics! The WTO and WIPO topic experts provide panoramic views, and the participants from various countries offer the jurisdictional insights. Together they enable comprehensive and in-depth inquiries of IP topics relevant to global trade and development. Participating in the WIPO-WTO Colloquium for Teachers of IP enhanced my teaching on global IP and my research on innovation and collaboration."
— Joy Xiang (China)
" Attending the colloquium was a dream come true and a great opportunity to: (i) learn and share about the existing and emerging legal, policy, technological and practical issues relating to IP; (ii) build an academic network with scholars from across the globe, including those working with WIPO-WTO; and (iii) introspect and estimate one’s own standing in IP scholarship. Benefits are immense including having friends in more than thirty countries and at WIPO and WTO, which is helps with both personal and academic growth; and a publication in the WIPO-WTO Colloquium Papers, which provides a global exposure. "
— Ghayur Alam (India)
" Participating in this colloquium enabled me to enrich my understanding of the trade-related aspects of IP rights, and familiarized me with many challenging issues in this sphere. It was a unique and valuable opportunity to share knowledge and experiences with teachers from different parts of the world. It also had positive influence on my interest in publishing research articles in this area."
— Katerina Toshevska-Trpchevska, (North Macedonia)
" It really was an honour for me to participate in the WIPO-WTO Colloquium for Teachers of IP. It helped me get the most up-to-date knowledge on IP, from WIPO- WTO as well as from colleagues around the world. Going to Switzerland and participating in seminars was an unforgettable experience in my life as an IP lecturer."
— Lê Thị Bích Thuỷ (Viet Nam)