Professional Development Program
Catalog of Courses
The Professional Development Program brochure for 2011 is available in PDF format in English, French and Spanish.
GENERAL INFORMATION ON WIPO TRAINING PROGRAM FOR NATIONALS OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AND COUNTRIES IN TRANSITION TO A MARKET ECONOMY
Objectives
The objective of the WIPO training program is to provide general and specialized training for professionals in the field of intellectual property. The program is carried out in cooperation with governments and specialized institutions.
General Information
Fields and Scope of Training
The WIPO training program covers all fields of intellectual property: industrial property, copyright and related rights. The program offers training on international developments in the field of intellectual property at WIPO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. It also offers practical training at one or more cooperating national or regional industrial property or copyright offices. The types of courses offered, including a brief summary of the topics covered, are described below.
Target Groups
Training is provided for persons in the fields of industrial property and copyright or related rights. Efforts are made to select the form of training that best suits the needs of the office concerned as well as that of the candidate. The WIPO training program is demand-driven and aims at promoting exchange of information among different groups, including right owners, managers and law enforcement officers. The target groups include officials from Member States in industrial property offices, copyright offices, collective management organizations, relevant Ministries and research and development (R&D) institutions whose mandate comprises intellectual property issues.
Eligibility
Attention is drawn to the information on the nature and scope of each course and the qualification requirements therefor. Candidates are expected to continue their service in the field of intellectual property, or in related institutions, on completion of their training.
Candidates for the training courses and seminars offered under the Professional Development Program should have completed the Distance Learning Course (DL-101) “General Course on Intellectual Property” and pass the examination. Candidates may register through the Internet Website of the WIPO Academy (http://www.wipo.int/academy) in order to complete that DL-101.
Candidates who do not have access to the Internet may request the WIPO Academy to provide a CD-ROM containing the DL-101 Course.
Language Proficiency
Candidates are required to have a good knowledge of the language in which the training is to be conducted.
Application Form
For government officials, it is recommended that the application form be duly completed and signed by the applicant and endorsed by the Director General of the Office or senior official of the relevant Ministry before it can be considered.
Special attention is drawn to sections 10 to 12 of the form, which should be completed correctly, stating clearly defined training requirements and the objectives that the candidate wishes to achieve.
A recent photograph of the candidate must also be attached to the application form.
Applications are considered for training in 2011.
Application form is available in Adobe PDF and in MS Word formats on the Website of the WIPO Academy (http://www.wipo.int/academy).
Selection of Candidates
The selection of candidates is carried out by WIPO. The selected candidates are notified directly.
Information concerning travel and other administrative arrangements for participation in the training program is communicated directly to the candidate or through the UNDP office where applicable.
Administrative Arrangements
Medical Insurance
Holders of WIPO fellowships participating in courses or seminars lasting two weeks or more are covered by a medical insurance taken out by WIPO for the training period. Details of the medical insurance scheme are sent to selected candidates.
Medical Examination
Candidates selected for fellowships lasting two weeks or more are required to undergo a medical examination confirming their good health. The medical examination is to be carried out by a physician recognized by the United Nations in the candidate's country.
When applicable, WIPO informs the selected candidates of the requirement for medical examination through the relevant UNDP office.
Visa Requirements
In view of the strict entry visa requirements of countries in which the training courses or seminars will be organized, WIPO will not authorize the selected candidates to travel unless they have obtained all the required entry visas in advance.
Travel and Accommodation Arrangements
Travel and subsistence expenses are borne by WIPO and/or by the governments or organizations cooperating with WIPO in organizing the training course. Participants receive a daily subsistence allowance adequate to cover the cost of accommodation and meals. In certain cases, the allowance is partly replaced by free-of-charge accommodation and/or meals.
Evaluation
At the end of each course or seminar, participants are required to complete an evaluation questionnaire prepared by WIPO. The answers to the questionnaire are treated in strict confidence. They are intended to serve as a basis for assessing the value of, as well as to enrich, the various courses and seminars in order to help WIPO improve its courses in the future.
Each participant in the WIPO training program is also required to transmit a report on the course or seminar following completion. The report should contain brief comments on the content, organization and other relevant aspects of the course or seminar. WIPO also welcomes suggestions or recommendations that would assist it in improving its training program. Reports and suggestions are treated in strict confidence.
Certificates
A certificate of participation is issued to the participants at the end of each training program.
Special Conditions
Attendance
Regular attendance is compulsory throughout the training period. WIPO reserves the right to terminate the fellowship of any participant who fails to meet this requirement.
Accompanying Persons
Participants are requested not to bring any accompanying persons to the courses. In any event, WIPO does not take any responsibility or incur administrative costs or take any action (e.g., make travel arrangements, provide a subsistence allowance, arrange entry visas and insurance, etc.) for such persons. Arrangements made for the participants by WIPO and/or the host institutions are solely for the benefit of the participants.
