GAU holds training on intellectual property rights

GAZIPUR, Nov 3: Gazipur Agricultural University (GAU) held a training workshop on intellectual property rights (IPR) on Tuesday. 

The workshop focused on protecting research-based innovations, ensuring proper intellectual property management and strengthening the capacity of researchers and relevant personnel to commercialise agricultural technologies.

Organised by the university's Technology Transfer Office (TTO) with funding from the Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) Project, the workshop began at 11am at the seminar room of the Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development.

GAU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr GKM Mustafizur Rahman attended the event as the chief guest, while HEAT Sub-Project Manager (SPM) and university Treasurer Professor Dr Md Safiul Islam Afrad chaired the session. University Proctor Professor Dr Mohammad Saiful Alam and project-associated teachers and officials were also present.

Professor Dr Farhana Yeasmin, Director of the university's Outreach Centre and Professor of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, delivered the welcome address. The vice-chancellor formally inaugurated the workshop.

In his speech, the vice-chancellor emphasised the need to protect researchers' intellectual contributions while ensuring confidentiality and effective technology transfer. He further said that appropriate measures had been undertaken to secure patents for GAU-developed varieties and technologies, noting that patent protection was essential for their wider recognition and acceptance nationally and internationally. He also highlighted the government's initiatives to simplify the patenting process.

Following the vice-chancellor's address, Professor Dr Md Safiul Islam Afrad presented an overview of the HEAT Project, outlining its objectives, activities and progress.

The training was conducted by Md Habibur Rahman, Deputy Director of the Department of Patents, Industrial Designs and Trademarks (DPDT), Professor Dr Foyez Ahmed Prodhan, Assistant Sub-Project Manager (ASPM) and Dr Muhammad Ziaul Haque.

The workshop concluded with a vote of thanks from the chair, reaffirming GAU's commitment to fostering a research environment where innovation is protected and translated into practical benefits.