WIPO China: 2024 WIPO-China Summer School Commenced in Wuhan, Shanghai and Nanjing

On July 1st, 2nd and 8th, 2024, the WIPO-China Summer School on Intellectual Property (IP) officially commenced at Zhongnan University of Economics and Law (ZUEL), East China University of Political Science and Law (ECUPL) and Nanjing University of Science and Technology (NJUST). Ms. Deng Yuhua, Counsellor of the WIPO Office in China (WOC), attended the opening ceremonies and delivered speeches.

In the opening remarks, Ms. Deng stated that the Summer School, organized by the WIPO Academy in collaboration with esteemed universities across WIPO's member states, offer a unique opportunity for university students and young professionals. Since the launch of the Summer School program in China in 2015, Chinese universities have shown increasing interest in IP education and research. In 2023, WIPO introduced a franchising model, opened the door for more universities to host WIPO-China Summer School programs. The WIPO Summer School programs allow participants from across the globe to engage in a two-week, intensive, and interdisciplinary program on IP, aimed at deepening their understanding of IP as a crucial tool for economic, social, cultural, and technological development, and learning about WIPO's pivotal role in this regard.

Ms. Deng outlined the 2024 work priorities of the WOC, which include further developing global IP ecosystem, strengthening cooperation and exchanges with member states, providing high-quality IP services. She highlighted initiatives such as the WIPO Summer School and joint master's programs aimed at empowering SMEs, women, and youth. She emphasized that the WOC, as an extension of WIPO, will continue to play a crucial role in fostering communication and cooperation with Chinese stakeholders, showcasing China's practices and achievements in IP, and offering targeted, timely and customized services to support the development of new, high-quality productive forces.

This year the WIPO-China summer school celebrates its eighth consecutive partnership with ECUPL, the third collaboration with NJUST, and the second with ZUEL. The program has garnered immense enthusiasm from young students and professionals across the globe, with ECUPL enrolling 93 students hailing from 9 countries, NJUST welcoming 143 students representing 20 countries, and ZUEL attracting 181 students from 32 countries. Highlighting the collective dedication to nurturing and fostering IP expertise and talents, key officials from the IP offices in Hubei, Shanghai, and Jiangsu, along with leaders from these three esteemed universities, graced the opening ceremonies.

This year, the WIPO-China Summer School network has significantly broadened its horizons, extending its collaboration to six prestigious universities. Beyond ECUPL, ZUEL, Renmin University of China, and NJUST, the program will now also grace the halls of Sichuan University and South China University of Technology. This expansion is a testament to the continually strengthening ties and deepening cooperation between WIPO and China's esteemed academic institutions. Moreover, it represents a wealth of new opportunities for fostering the skills and competencies of young Chinese talents within the field of IP.