WIPO Academy Alumni Spotlight: YEPs
May 6, 2022
WIPO Academy alumni are shaping the future of intellectual property (IP) and contributing to the work of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in innovative and inspiring ways. Two of the Academy’s alumni, Mohsin Ali (from Pakistan) and Eva Stefanovska (from North Macedonia), have been selected to join the newly launched Young Experts Program (YEP) and are currently completing their two year journeys at WIPO, preparing to be future IP leaders.
Mohsin Ali
Mohsin is a mechanical engineering graduate of the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) in Pakistan. As part of his final year project for his bachelor’s degree, he invented an innovative design for a portable biogas plant. Shortly after graduating in 2017, he started working at NUST as the Assistant Manager of IP and Legal Affairs, and focal point for the Technology and Innovation Support Center (TISC). Mohsin attended a two-day training course jointly organized by WIPO, the Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan, and the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan at NUST for TISC officers in the country, where he was introduced to the offerings of the WIPO Academy and the economic potential of protecting IP. In 2018, he filed an industrial design application for his portable biogas plant, with the IP Organization of Pakistan, which was successfully granted in 2019.
This experience sparked Mohsin’s interest in IP, which inspired him to enroll in the WIPO Academy’s distance learning (DL) courses.
I started with the General Course on IP (DL-101) and eventually successfully completed the advanced DL courses. I then decided to sign up for the WIPO Summer Schools and Joint Master’s Degree Programs.
Mohsin Ali, WIPO Young Expert
In 2019, Mohsin participated in the WIPO-University of Geneva Summer School. The WIPO Summer School marked his first overseas trip from Pakistan and his first visit to WIPO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
Following this experience, Mohsin was accepted with a full WIPO scholarship to the Master’s Degree in IP (MIP) with a Specialization in Design, jointly organized by the WIPO Academy and Tongji University in Shanghai, China. Mohsin started his studies at Tongji University in September 2019, and completed the second semester online due the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Mohsin was fortunate to be able to return to Pakistan to complete his dissertation and used his time in lockdown to participate virtually in the WIPO-USA Summer School.
I strongly believe that WIPO-Tongji University MIP is a great opportunity to learn and explore new regimes of IP and technology commercialization at the international level. As a result of this program, I have not only built a very strong network with individuals from different parts of the world, but also developed a strong professional profile in the areas of IP, innovation and technology transfer.
Mohsin Ali, WIPO Young Expert
When browsing the WIPO website in late 2021, he came across the YEP announcement and dedicated himself to refining his skills to match the YEP profile before applying. He was selected for the YEP position at the WIPO Academy and in the PCT International Cooperation Division, and took up his duties on February 1, 2022.
I am extremely passionate about my current role as a Young Expert at WIPO. I always had a dream to work with WIPO and now this dream is a reality. At WIPO, I start each day with a lot of excitement, passion and energy to learn new things for my professional growth and contribute to the field of IP through my work.
Mohsin Ali, WIPO Young Expert
As a YEP, Mohsin is currently supporting the WIPO Academy’s IP Training Institutions (IPTIs). He is involved in developing the master instructional design document for the IPTIs; the organization of training of trainers (ToTs) modules and the International Conference of WIPO IPTIs (taking place on May 23 and 24, 2022); in addition to reviewing project documents and business plans of new IPTI projects.
Mohsin is determined to have an impact on the field of IP, particularly in Pakistan, and to build a career as an international professional in the field of IP law and licensing.
In this current age of the knowledge-based economy, IP and innovation play a pivotal role in the economic growth of any country. Therefore, it is very important for all professionals and researchers, irrespective of their field, to have basic knowledge of intellectual property rights so they can protect and monetize their work. I would encourage all professionals and researchers to make the most of the WIPO Academy’s offerings, from DL courses, to summer schools, professional development courses and joint master’s degree programs.
Mohsin Ali, WIPO Young Expert
Eva Stefanovska
Before joining the WIPO Young Experts Program (YEP), Eva worked on patent searches and analysis in the IP Department of ALKALOID AD, a pharmaceutical company in Skopje, North Macedonia. With an academic background in materials engineering and nanoscience, she recently completed her Master’s degree in polymer sciences at Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje. These experiences sparked her interest in IP, which merges well with her scientific background.
In 2020, Eva discovered the WIPO Academy’s distance learning (DL) courses when searching for relevant and recognized IP learning opportunities and successfully completed three self-paced general DL courses within a year.
I quickly realized that IP is essential for R&D as it bridges the thought process with product development, and finally end users. The DL courses helped build my awareness of the many different ways in which creators, researchers and inventors around the world can benefit from IP. The DL courses gave me a greater understanding of the PCT Treaty Regulations and IP rights, as well as the role of IP for least developed and developing countries. For many students and IP professionals from developing countries, like myself, the acquired knowledge and the validated certificate of the WIPO DL courses can present a turning point in their education and careers.
Eva Stefanovska, WIPO Young Expert
Eva applied for the WIPO Young Experts Program in 2021, and on February 1, 2022 she started her new role in the PCT International Cooperation Division, and will continue onto the Division for Transition and Developed Countries next year. She hopes that her experience as a YEP will equip her with the skills and resources to make IP familiar and accessible to a broader range of students and inventors, and to efficiently guide young researchers and inventors towards the benefits of IP.
I am really enjoying this dynamic, professional experience as a YEP. Most importantly I am thankful for the community that has developed amongst the YEPs and I look forward to collaborating with them over the next two years.
Eva Stefanovska, WIPO Young Expert
Eva’s responsibilities as a YEP in the PCT International Cooperation Division include supporting the organization of PCT-related tailored workshops and training programs, updating learning resources and establishing impact assessments for developing countries, least developed countries and countries with economies in transition. She is also working on developing PCT promotion strategies, and improving web accessibility for patent-related materials.
Interested in building your IP knowledge and skills?
The WIPO Academy offers year-long opportunities for those wishing to develop their IP knowledge and skills through its Professional Development Program, Distance Learning courses, Joint Master’s Programs and WIPO Summer Schools.
To learn from our alumni and their experiences, please connect to our growing alumni community on LinkedIn by joining the WIPO Academy’s official “Academy Community”.