By Our Correspondent
LAHORE: The 3rd pilot activity of the Intellectual Property Training Institute (IPTI) of IPO Pakistan was successfully held at the Jinnah Auditorium of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) under the theme “IP for Business Success.” The event brought together key stakeholders from the public and private sectors, including researchers, entrepreneurs, ORIC and TISC officials, startups, IP experts, and business community representatives to explore how intellectual property (IP) can fuel business growth and innovation.
The session featured a keynote address by Ambassador (R) Farukh Amil, Chairperson of IPO Pakistan, who emphasized the rising importance of IP education in the country. He acknowledged the continued support of WIPO and national stakeholders in establishing IPTI — an initiative expected to play a vital role in strengthening IP education, skills, and training nationwide.
Chairperson Amil underscored the central role of IP in Pakistan’s technical advancement and economic progress, asserting that IP should be considered a core element of national development rather than a peripheral subject. He also advocated for Pakistan’s accession to key international treaties, including the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), the Lisbon Agreement on Geographical Indications, and the WIPO Treaty on IP and Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge, as a means to protect indigenous assets, attract foreign investment, and strengthen global credibility.
LCCI Vice President Shahid Nazir Chaudary also addressed the gathering, emphasizing the need for businesses — particularly startups and SMEs — to understand the strategic value of intellectual property for achieving a competitive edge and ensuring long-term growth.
Ms. Aemen Javairia, Director of IPTI, spoke about the institute’s mission to disseminate intellectual property knowledge across Pakistan. She highlighted IPTI’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurs, researchers, and innovators. Joining virtually, Ms. Mariia Bychkovska, Project Support Consultant at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), welcomed the progress made by Pakistan through IPTI’s launch. She reaffirmed WIPO’s support to member states for expanding IP awareness and capacity-building.
WIPO-certified master trainers — Mr. Saad Nasrullah, Mr. Gulam Mujtaba, Ms. Aonia, and Ms. Shakra Khurshid — delivered detailed presentations offering practical guidance on various aspects of IP protection, commercialization, and its use as a strategic business tool. Dr. Owais Shaikh, national consultant for IPTI, joined online to present international best practices in business-related IP management.
The training aimed to equip professionals, inventors, and entrepreneurs with the knowledge and tools necessary to secure and leverage their intellectual property assets effectively.
At the conclusion of the session, shields and certificates were distributed among participants and speakers. Chairperson IPO Pakistan expressed gratitude to all attendees, resource persons, and partners, particularly WIPO, for their continued support. He expressed hope that the momentum generated by the session would continue to drive meaningful progress in IP education and capacity-building across Pakistan.
