National Intellectual Property Training Centers (Start-up Academies): Update
November 22, 2016
The WIPO Academy provided an update on its work to support countries wishing to establish National Intellectual Property Training Centers (Start-up Academies) during a briefing session for member states in the margins of the WIPO General Assemblies.
At the meeting on October 4, 2016, representatives of the WIPO Academy outlined ways in which the WIPO Academy was seeking to strengthen the project approach to better meet the needs of member states, and sought the views of participants.
The presentation 
and discussion focused on the following areas:
- How to facilitate improved networking among existing IP Academies aimed at better sharing of experience, know-how and expertise;
- Ways in which the WIPO Academy website could be used to support such networking among IP Academies in a cost-efficient and effective manner;
- How to ensure sustainability of the project, including localizing and tailoring IP training to national IP priorities.
The WIPO Academy reported on the positive growth of the project. National IP Academies were now established in five countries (Colombia, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Peru, and Tunisia). Projects were in progress in eight countries (Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Georgia, and Turkey). Expressions of interest had been received from a further nine countries (Albania, Djibouti, Honduras, Islamic Republic of Iran, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Ukraine, and the United Arab Emirates).
Further information on WIPO’s work to support member states wishing to establish IP Training Centers is available on the updated Academic Institutions and Start-up Academies web page.
About the Start-Up Academy Project
The WIPO Academy provides assistance to member states to establish national IP Training Institutions (Start-up Academies). The aim of this work is to enable member states to create their own self-sustaining IP training infrastructure, to support IP capacity building focused on specific national goals and priorities. The tailored training and educational courses that these local institutions can offer are targeted at key beneficiaries.