ISLAMABAD, Feb 20 (APP): Air University on Friday hosted a two-day workshop on Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) in collaboration with Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan (IPO-Pakistan) to enhance awareness, capacity building and commercialization of research, aiming to strengthen the country’s innovation landscape.
The workshop, held at the university’s main campus, brought together experts, faculty members, researchers, students and entrepreneurs to discuss the importance of intellectual property protection and its role in fostering a knowledge-based economy, said a press release.
On the first day, participants were briefed on the significance of intellectual property as a legal framework for safeguarding scientific inventions, software, artistic works and brand identities. Ms. Humaira Shakeel, Deputy Director, Technology and Innovation Support Center (TISC), provided an overview of IPO-Pakistan and explained Pakistan’s intellectual property legal system.
A hands-on training session on the Patent Registration System, including database search tools and filing procedures, was conducted by Mujtaba Kamal, Deputy Director (Patent) and Assistant Controller of Patent at IPO-Pakistan. A certificate distribution ceremony was also held to recognize students who completed internships at IPO-Pakistan during Summer 2025, highlighting efforts to nurture young professionals in the IP domain.
The second day featured technical sessions on trademarks, copyrights and industrial designs, focusing on their registration processes and role in protecting creative and innovative outputs. Experts from IPO-Pakistan, including Saifullah Khan, Director Copyright, and Ms. Shams-un-Nisa, Senior Examiner (Patents & Designs), Ms. Humaira Shakeel provided practical guidance on transforming research and ideas into legally protected intellectual assets contributing to economic growth.
Director General IPO-Pakistan Nauman Aslam Sheikh attended the workshop as chief guest and emphasized the need for regular awareness sessions to nurture creativity and research for the development of a knowledge-based economy.
“Awareness of IPR empowers students to protect their ideas, secure their innovations, and confidently enter competitive markets,” he said, adding that collaboration between academia and IPO-Pakistan would further strengthen the innovation ecosystem, support commercialization efforts and contribute to the sustainable economic growth IPO Pakistan.
The session was concluded with the closing remarks by the Director ORIC Air University, Air Commodore (R) Fawad Zahir, reaffirming the importance of academia-industry collaboration in fostering a knowledge-based economy.
Certificates were awarded to participants at the end of the workshop, acknowledging their active engagement over the two days. The event concluded with a collective commitment to promote intellectual property awareness, safeguard innovations, and support Pakistan’s research and entrepreneurship ecosystem.