WIPO Academy Launches First Executive Training Program in Singapore
March 11, 2024
The WIPO Academy and the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) International have teamed up to offer the Academy’s first International Executive Training Program from March 4 to 8, 2024 in Singapore. Fifteen intellectual property (IP) professionals representing six countries had the unique opportunity to attend the Executive Training Program on Intangible Asset Management: Turning Ideas into Tangible Business Values.
The significant growth of the value of intangible assets which are protected by IP such as brands, software, databases, organizational assets and skills underscores the importance of being able to manage these assets effectively and efficiently.
The Academy’s goal with this Program in collaboration with IPOS was to ensure that IP practitioners from developing countries are equipped with the necessary tools, skills and techniques to develop and protect new ideas with confidence. It was also important that they learn from Singapore’s experience in using IP as a tool for business growth and development and share best practices that could propel them to the next level.
Mr. Sherif Saadallah, Executive Director of the WIPO Academy
What did the program cover?
The program was delivered by leading experts from the public and private sectors and covered topics such as:
- Safeguarding IP for securing competitive market advantage;
- IP audits and valuation
- IP tax considerations
- Building effective IP strategies
- Passive and active IP commercialization and
- Licensing and franchising.
Participants also benefitted from a field visit to Amazon offices in Singapore to learn about the company’s global IP strategy and how it leverages intangible assets for business success.
While in Singapore, the Executive Director of the WIPO Academy, Mr. Sherif Saadallah met Mr. Kok Kitt-Wai, Managing Director of IPOS International, Mr. Peh Toon Meng, Head of the IP Academy of IPOS International and Mr. Eric Khoo, Head, Business Development at IPOS International. Mr. Saadallah pledged the Academy’s support to continue developing high-quality programs targeting stakeholders in the private sector from developing countries that seek to use IP.
Mr. Saadallah also visited the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) where he met Professor Robbie Goh, Provost of SUSS, Professor Allan Chia, Dean of the School of Business, and Professor Eric Gan, Head of the IP and Innovation Management Program, which houses the WIPO Joint Master’s Program in IP and Innovation Management (IP Business). The IP Business program was launched in in August 2023 by Daren Tang, Director General of WIPO, and is currently in its first edition.
What is the Executive Training Program?
The WIPO Academy’s Executive Training Program was launched in 2024 to offer short and intensive practical skills-building opportunities for IP professionals interested in:
- Leveraging IP as a tool for business growth
- Enhancing IP negotiation capabilities
- Building strong networks and partnerships across disciplines and
- Developing and protecting new ideas and technologies across multiple industries in various innovative and creative sectors.