TISCs provide a diverse range of services to researchers, inventors and entrepreneurs, supporting them at different stages in the innovation cycle – from assistance with using patent databases and performing patent searches to advice on IP management and commercialization.
Since the TISC program was launched in 2009, 93 countries, of which 30 are least developed countries
In 2024, the global TISC network continued to grow, with 1,667 TISCs in 93 countries.
Because sustainability and the impact of national TISC networks is critical to their continuous development, maturity levels have been defined to reflect each national network’s development status and the level of services it provides. These levels also provide insights into future development requirements to increase impact, as follows:
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Maturity level 1: Countries that have signed an SLA with WIPO, have signed institutional agreements at a national level between the TISC national focal point and TISC host institutions, and which report at least annually on national TISC activities
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Maturity level 2: Countries that meet maturity level 1 standards and which provide basic patent information searches, e.g., state-of-the-art patent searches
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Maturity level 3: Countries that meet maturity level 2 standards and which provide value-added IP services, e.g., patent analytics and drafting Patent Landscape Reports (PLRs)
Ultimately, TISCs are financially and technically self-supporting institutions to which WIPO provides advice on demand.
Out of the total of 93 TISC national networks, 52 were considered to be sustainable national networks at the end of 2024, with six networks at maturity level 1, 32 networks at maturity level 2 and 14 networks at maturity level 3.
Continued increase in demand for TISC services
The worldwide growth of TISC networks and their increasing maturity and sustainability continued to be accompanied by a surge in demand for TISC services from local researchers, inventors and entrepreneurs, who are the main beneficiaries of TISC support.
Following the annual end-of-year survey completed by TISCs around the world, TISCs received over 2.25 million inquiries in 2024.
In Algeria, 11 new TISCs were launched in universities and research centers across the country, including in Aflou, Algiers, Constantine, Mostaganem and Tlemcen.
In Argentina, a new TISC was established in the Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas of the Buenos Aires Province, bringing the total number of active TISCs in the network to 35. One additional TISC is in the process of renewing its membership.
In Belarus, TISCs responded to around 4,000 requests for technology and innovation support services in 2024, and the TISC at the National Center for Intellectual Property (NCIP) took part in events promoting IP, including a seminar on “Facilitating entrepreneurship for innovative support of regions” and a student competition at the National Children’s Technopark, at which it also provided advice to emerging researchers, inventors, and entrepreneurs.
In Botswana, important efforts were taken to reinvigorate and bolster the network. Out of 13 potential new institutions that were contacted in 2024, five formally joined the network: the Botswana Accountancy College, the National Agricultural Research and Development Institute, Ba Isago University, the New Era College of Arts, Science and Technology, and the Human Resource Development Council.
In Cambodia, the Department of Intellectual Property, serving as the focal point of the national TISC network, expanded the network by signing an agreement with the National Institute of Science, Technology and Innovation and engaging with other potential candidates. To promote knowledge sharing and networking, a dedicated virtual platform was launched for TISCs, featuring learning resources and information on training events.
In Chile, the TISC network expanded significantly, with seven new universities selected to establish centers in eight additional regions. The network now has a presence in 11 regions and 13 host institutions. In total, TISCs provided 2,190 services in 2024. The TISC hosted in the National Institute of Industrial Property (INAPI), which is focal point of the network, also produced 13 technology trends reports covering a wide range of technological fields and two reports on patents that fell into the public domain in 2024.
In China, the TISC network expanded significantly with the identification of 101 new prospective host institutions. Combined with those already in operation, the network will include 202 TISCs established across 32 provincial-level administrative regions, including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), surpassing the national target of 200 TISCs set for the end of 2025. By the end of 2024, TISCs had also established more than 200 IP service platforms and databases, which collectively recorded over 700 million visits.
In Colombia, TISCs responded to 12,194 inquiries (the majority – 67 percent – about trademarks) from 6,321 users, among which 57 percent were entrepreneurs. They also conducted 616 patent and industrial design searches for 506 researchers and entrepreneurs.
In Costa Rica, TISCs responded to 23,258 inquiries (over 40 percent of them by phone and the rest divided almost equally between in-person and email inquiries). The majority (around 87 percent) concerned trademarks, followed by copyright (around 10 percent), industrial designs, patents and utility models (around three percent).
In Côte d’Ivoire, the national TISC network grew to encompass 21 TISCs, including the newly created TISCs in the professional, industrial and technical schools in Abidjan-Cocody, Abidjan-Treichville, Bouaké, Ferké, Grand-Lahou, Jacqueville, Man, Odienné and Yopougon, as well as the Société Ivoirienne de Technologie Tropicale.
In Cuba, TISCs responded to over 3,000 inquiries, most of which concerned trademark-related issues, and provided assistance with 1,337 IP rights applications (96 percent of them also related to trademarks).
In the Dominican Republic, TISCs responded to 797 inquiries, a 25-percent increase from 2023. Universidad Católica Nordestana also joined the network in 2024, bringing the total number of TISCs in the Dominican Republic to six.
In Egypt, TISCs received an average of 900 visits per month, representing a 12.5-percent increase compared to 2023. With 56 TISCs in the network, this translates to approximately 600,000 consultations conducted in 2024.
In El Salvador, a 17-percent increase was reported in the number of services provided by TISCs, with 1,795 services provided in 2024 compared to 1,534 in 2023.
In Ethiopia, five new TISCs were established in universities and in research and development institutions throughout the country, bringing the total number of TISCs in the national TISC network to 71.
In the Gambia, the Industrial Property Office, focal point of the national TISC network, signed an agreement with the Intellectual Property Association to enhance IP awareness across the country, and a fourth TISC was established.
In Kazakhstan, the first wave of TISCs focused on institutions with strong research capabilities, primarily universities. By the end of 2024, the network had expanded to include technical universities and innovation hubs such as the International Green Technologies and Investment Projects Center and the Science and Technological Initiatives “Samgau” Foundation.
With 13 new institutions joining, the total number of TISCs in Kazakhstan reached 37, significantly broadening the network’s geographic and sectoral coverage. To support this growth, a new division was established by the IP Office (Qazpatent) to centralize management of the expanding TISC network and ensure effective coordination of patent research and innovation support services at the national level.
In Kenya, a new TISC committee was established within the Kenya Industrial Property Institute to help manage and revitalize the TISC network. This led to the addition of two new TISCs: one at the Konza Technopolis Development Authority and another at the African Centre for Technology Studies. By the end of 2024, the network had grown to 18 TISCs, with five more in the pipeline.
In Kyrgyzstan, two new TISCs were established: one at the Kyrgyz State Technical University named after I. Razzakov and one at Batken State University. This brings the total number of TISCs in the network to 27.
In the first nine months of 2024, TISCs in Kyrgyzstan provided 445 consultations on the national IP legislation and IP application filing and 409 services related to patent and non-patent information access. They also supported the filing of seven patent applications, five utility models and one industrial design.
Three TISCs won the “Best TISC" award for the quantity and quality of their innovation support services: the TISCs at Osh Technological University named after M.M. Adyshev, Kyrgyz Russian Slavic University, and Osh Regional Library.
In the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, the first TISC was officially established in September at the National University of Laos, with two more expected to join in 2025.
In Malaysia, two new institutions joined the network, bringing the total number of TISCs in the network to 25.
In Mongolia, the national TISC network expanded from 17 to 19 centers. TISCs responded to over 1,300 service requests, including state-of-the-art and patentability searches, advice and support in drafting and filing patents, trademarks, industrial design, copyright applications, and advice and support in concluding licensing agreements. They carried out more than 800 patent searches.
In Nigeria, two new TISCs were established in the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, and the Federal University of Technology Minna. Four additional agreements were signed with the University of Ibadan, the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University and University of Port Harcourt to establish TISCs.
In Pakistan, TISCs received approximately five percent more inquiries per month compared to 2023, averaging over 500 inquiries each month. The most common queries received were related to IP guidance for filing patent applications, followed by inquiries about patent searches.
In Palestine, TISCs provided students and innovators with support in carrying out patent searches and filing patent applications as well as supporting the development of 20 technology projects related to food and agriculture, health, and renewable energy, including projects in the framework of an innovation program with four Palestinian universities.
In Peru, a four-percent increase was recorded in the number of inquiries received by TISCs and the number of services provided, from 13,158 in 2023 to 13,707 in 2024. The network comprises 49 TISCs established in 21 of Peru’s 25 regions.
In the Russian Federation, the national TISC network grew to encompass 190 TISCs in eight federal districts and 71 regions across the country, with nine new TISC host institution agreements being signed and 10 TISC host institution agreements being extended. TISCs responded to over 125,000 requests for access to patent databases and scientific and technical databases, over 40,000 requests for assistance in using patent databases and scientific and technical databases, and over 2,600 requests for advice on licensing.
In Saudi Arabia, seven new TISCs were established in 2024, bringing the total number of TISCs in the network to 71 and expanding coverage to all administrative regions. Applications for new memberships surged by 54 percent, reflecting growing interest in the network’s services. The number of inquiries received by TISCs also saw a significant increase, rising by 31.4 percent compared to 2023, with a total of 550 inquiries.
In South Africa, 10 institutions signed agreements with the National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO) to be members of the TISC network. Nine additional institutions expressed their interest and are expected to sign agreements with NIPMO in 2025.
The TISC network of Tajikistan coordinated by the National Center for Patents and Information grew significantly in 2024, with 25 TISCs established in universities and research centers across the country, bringing the total number of TISCs in the network to 26.
In Uganda, four new TISCs were established at the Uganda Technical College, Comboni College-Lira, Dr. Obote College-Lira and the Centre of Innovation and Technology Transfer at Mbarara University of Science and Technology, bringing the network to a total of 37 members.
The TISC network in Ukraine grew from 30 centers in 2023 to 46 in 2024. Regional TISCs responded to over 1,000 inquiries.
In Uzbekistan, nine new TISCs were established. TISCs handled a wide range of inquiries, including 2,660 inquiries on IP protection, 671 on using patent information and 494 on IP licensing and technology transfer agreements.
In Viet Nam, the TISC network continued to grow, expanding from 50 to 58 members, including 52 universities and research institutes, and six enterprises.
TISCs as catalysts for filing patent and other IP rights applications
Many TISC networks reported a steady growth in patent applications filed with the support of TISCs. This was the result of the increased number and quality of services provided to local researchers and innovators, and demonstrates how IP creates value and promotes innovation.
In Algeria, the TISC hosted at the Algerian National Institute of Industrial Property (INAPI), as the focal point of the national TISC network, provided support for drafting over 150 patent applications and for filing over 600 patent, trademark and industrial design applications. Nationwide, 847 patent applications were filed with support from TISCs, representing 79 percent of the 1,083 total applications filed in the country. This number was up by over 3,400 percent compared to 2018.
In Botswana, the TISCs hosted at the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST), the Botswana College of Engineering Technology, and the University of Botswana have played a key role in supporting innovators across the country. These centers regularly conduct patent searches, particularly prior art searches. Notably, BIUST has reported that its TISC’s assistance has contributed to the successful granting of three patents.
In China, TISCs supported over 31,000 high-value patents and facilitated more than 14,000 technology transfers and IP transactions. Notable individual achievements included the TISC at Zhengzhou Jinshui District National Intellectual Property and Creative Industry Pilot Park, which drove enterprise innovation through patent commercialization, resulting in 33 patent licensing agreements, 65 patent product registrations (i.e., products incorporating one or more valid patents recorded by the China National Intellectual Property Administration), 12 academic patent transfers, and 21 patent-backed financing deals.
The TISC at Ourchem Information Consulting Co. Ltd. developed a digital IP platform for the Guangzhou Development Zone, featuring eight sector-specific databases, supporting over 1,000 institutional users, serving 742 high-tech firms, and enabling over 8 billion yuan in patent-backed financing.
In Colombia, TISCs identified 496 inventions eligible for patent or industrial design protection and provided assistance to the filing of 2,676 IP rights applications. Out of these, 87 percent of them (2,326) concerned trademark registrations, 10 percent (268) industrial designs and three percent (82) patent applications.
In Ecuador, 30 IP rights applications were filed through TISCs compared to 14 in 2023, including 10 patents, 10 utility models and 10 industrial designs.
In El Salvador, 522 IP rights applications were filed through TISCs, including 292 trademarks, 146 copyrights and 94 patents.
In Kazakhstan, TISCs have contributed to a 15-percent increase in national patent applications and enhanced the quality of filings. A consistent rise in inventive activity was recorded nationwide, with Almaty and Astana achieving the highest inventive activity coefficients. Positive trends were observed in 90 percent of the country’s regions, including Shymkent, Karaganda and Pavlodar, reflecting greater engagement from regional innovators.
A notable increase in commercialization agreements was also reported in 2024, underscoring the growing importance of IP as a strategic asset in Kazakhstan’s innovation economy and highlighting the TISC network’s role in driving these developments.
In Pakistan, 480 resident patent applications were filed in 2024, with nearly half of them (211) filed through TISCs, along with 58 design applications that were also facilitated by TISCs.
In Peru, 916 patent applications were filed in 2024 through TISCs.
In the Philippines, TISCs achieved an all-time high record of 2,257 IP filings, including 439 patents, 651 utility models, 346 industrial designs, 150 trademark registrations and 671 copyright registrations. TISCs accounted for 42.83 percent of total resident IP filings, underscoring their significant contribution to the country’s innovation ecosystem. Among the different IP rights, they contributed the most to patents (54.4 percent), followed by utility models (44.44 percent) and industrial designs (32 percent).
In the Russian Federation, over 6,200 patent applications were filed by TISC host institutions or with support from TISCs, and nearly 10,000 computer programs, databases and trademarks were protected by TISC host institutions or with support from TISCs. In addition, over 1,300 projects based on patents were launched with support from TISCs, for a total value exceeding 791 million Russian rubles.
In Uganda, the establishment of TISCs has led to first-time filings for IP protection on the national register, an important milestone in expanding access to the IP system. Notably, applications have been received by the Uganda Registration Services Bureau from TISCs established in secondary schools, highlighting the initiative’s broad and inclusive impact.
Increased awareness of IP commercialization in Uganda has also resulted in the successful commercialization of several utility models filed through TISCs. Significantly, 37 percent of patent applications and 21 percent of utility model applications filed in 2024 originated from TISC host institutions, demonstrating their growing role in fostering innovation and IP activity nationwide.
In Uzbekistan, TISCs conducted 1,609 patent searches, assisted with 2,661 IP filings and supported the conclusion of 92 IP license agreements.
In Zimbabwe, 35 patents were filed through TISCs, highlighting their continued pivotal role in strengthening the country’s innovation ecosystem.
Expanding the depth and range of innovation support services
To help inventors and entrepreneurs better exploit their innovation potential and create value from the IP they generate, TISCs around the world also continued to expand the range of services they offer to accompany inventors on their journey from idea to market.
In Argentina, TISCs increasingly supported local innovators and entrepreneurs in transferring their technologies, including through assistance with IP valuation and the drafting of technology transfer agreements. For example, one TISC played a key role in several initiatives: assisting the university in negotiating a patent transfer agreement with a hospital, facilitating a software transfer and royalty payment agreement between an oil industry supplier and a software developer, and supporting the drafting of a confidentiality agreement between a company and the university. Another TISC introduced a new fee-waiver policy to encourage innovators with limited resources to file for IP protection.
In Colombia, TISCs provided over 2,000 services to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and significantly supported entrepreneurs nationwide, with over 70 percent of users who benefited from TISC support in 2024 being located outside the capital.
In Côte d’Ivoire, TISCs organized a two-week national roving seminar for invention and technical innovation clubs established at universities and other higher-education institutions, focusing on the use of patent information and inventions in the public domain to support research, development and prototyping. The seminar took place in numerous cities around the country.
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a framework agreement was signed to establish the “Master Class du Génie Congolais” program, valued at USD 120 million. The program aims to promote scientific and technological development through the effective use and protection of IP and to generate 1,000 innovative enterprises over the next five year
In Egypt, TISC staff actively contributed to developing institutional IP policies at their host institutions to better support IP management and commercialization efforts. By the end of 2024, 30 institutions had formulated an IP policy.
In Mongolia, the Intellectual Property Office of Mongolia, as the national TISC focal point, organized 14 training activities, attended by over 1,100 participants, to develop the knowledge and skills of TISC staff in the country.
In the Philippines, a new “Palladium” cluster was introduced to recognize high-performing TISCs based on the volume and types of services provided, particularly their efforts in patent filing and IP commercialization. This elite category is for TISCs that have maintained “Platinum” status for five consecutive years or have secured at least one granted Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) application. Six of the 96 TISCs have earned this distinction: Ateneo de Manila University, Caraga State University, Central Mindanao University, De La Salle University, Samar State University and University of the Philippines Manila.
In 2024, TISCs generated 20.6 million Philippine pesos (approximately USD 356,277) in income from commercialized IP, with 70 IP rights successfully commercialized, including 25 utility models, 13 patents, 13 trademarks and five industrial designs. Licensing accounted for over 91 percent of commercialization, with direct sales and spin-offs as alternative approaches.
Additionally, six Philippines TISC staff are now registered pro bono agents under the WIPO Inventor Assistance Program, reinforcing the network’s commitment to supporting underserved innovators. A notable success came from Dr. Armando Reosura, Manager of the TISC at Carlos Hilado Memorial State University, who successfully helped a beneficiary of the Inventor Assistance Program (IAP) secure a patent grant.
In the Russian Federation, TISCs expanded their service offering to include patent analytics and IP management with support from the Federal Service for Intellectual Property (Rospatent) and the Federal Institute for Industrial Property. They also launched new activities to support youth and enterprises, including in cooperation with startup and business accelerators.
In South Africa, training on IP commercialization and technology transfer has empowered TISCs to apply these skills and offer new services to local researchers and innovators, reinforcing the value of the TISC initiative in driving innovation and economic growth.
In Sri Lanka, universities revised their IP policies to better support commercialization, marking a significant step toward institutionalizing IP management and promoting technology transfer and entrepreneurship. Several TISCs established within universities also launched structured programs to build IP commercialization capacities, including a new course on IP management for startups and a "GAP Filling Grant Scheme" for researchers, aimed at developing market-ready products from research outputs, funded through university budgets.
In Thailand, the Department of Intellectual Property, as the national focal point of the TISC network, partnered with three TISCs to produce patent landscape reports on high-impact technological fields including 3D electrospinning for biomaterials (Suranaree University of Technology), low-temperature plasma nitriding for tool steel hardening (Mahasarakham University) and innovations in the agricultural and food industries (Thaksin University).
King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, one of Thailand’s 10 TISCs, also launched a new partnership with 65 leading Thai organizations under the theme “Connecting the Dots: Integrating Knowledge for Innovators.” The initiative aims to enhance the technical and entrepreneurial skills of researchers and innovators across Thailand.
In the United Republic of Tanzania, TISCs made significant strides in promoting innovation and strengthening IP management nationwide. Through targeted capacity-building initiatives, they trained over 200 innovators, researchers and entrepreneurs; facilitated 24 patent filings, of which six were granted; and supported five technology transfer projects that led to commercialization. TISCs also facilitated four key collaborations focused on technology transfer, innovation and joint ventures, reinforcing their role as a central driver of IP commercialization in the country.
Training and awareness-raising: supporting local innovators
In addition to expanding their innovation support services for local users, TISCs continued to dedicate significant resources to self-development and awareness-raising activities, indicating increased levels of sustainability and maturity.
In Argentina, TISC staff members continued to enhance their knowledge and skills to provide innovation support services to their users. Thirty-nine staff members completed distance learning courses offered by the WIPO Academy. Additionally, more than 60 participants attended a workshop organized by WIPO and INAPI to strengthen the capacity of TISCs in managing and commercializing IP assets generated in universities.
In Belarus, the NCIP, as the national TISC focal point, organized training seminars on IP and information technology, patent search and analytics, and patent document search on the Internet (jointly with the National Library of Belarus) to develop the capabilities of TISCs in the country.
In Cameroon, the Directorate of Technological Development and Industrial Property under the Ministry of Mines, Industry and Technological Development, as the focal point of the TISC network, organized 12 awareness-raising activities across the country in various universities, technical schools and government institutions. The ministry also supported three TISCs by providing new prototyping equipment and training on its use, aiming to strengthen the research and innovation capacities of these institutions.
In Chile, 93 TISC staff members participated in training activities to strengthen their knowledge and skills, including WIPO Academy distance learning courses and a dedicated TISC workshop organized by INAPI on patent analytics and technology monitoring.
In China, TISCs organized over 15,000 promotional and awareness-raising activities and delivered IP training to more than 750,000 participants nationwide. Six hundred and sixty-five TISC staff members also participated in WIPO distance learning courses and over 1,000 attended specialized TISC training programs.
In Costa Rica, TISCs organized and participated in 138 capacity-building activities, with the TISCs hosted by the Registro Nacional (the focal point of the national network) and the University of Costa Rica being the most active (50 and 55 activities, respectively), followed by the Costa Rica Institute of Technology (26 activities).
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a TISC relaunch seminar brought together over 250 participants, including representatives from more than 70 national institutions and four government ministers. Among the attendees were over 100 inventors, collectively presenting 140 new inventions and innovations demonstrating inventive activity.
In Egypt, a new successful mentorship program was established, where experienced TISC staff support new recruits, with mentors trained and guided by members of the National Intellectual Property Academy.
In Ethiopia, nearly 800 participants from 20 institutions attended training seminars and workshops organized by the national TISC network. A week-long workshop on IP for small and medium-sized enterprises, universities, research institutions and policymakers also reached around 150 participants – including representatives from the Prime Minister’s Office, government ministries and agencies, and parliament – enhancing their awareness and knowledge of IP management and valuation. Additionally, eight TISC host institutions received training and support in developing institutional IP policies, with two already ratifying these policies in 2024.
In Honduras, the Institute of Intellectual Property, as the focal point of the national TISC network, organized 14 seminars and workshops to help individual TISCs develop their infrastructure and capabilities, and to strengthen their delivery of innovation support services. TISCs across Honduras also implemented initiatives to raise awareness of IP nationwide and to equip researchers and innovators with the skills needed to navigate the IP system effectively.
In Jordan, TISCs focused on developing their capacity to deliver services while also strengthening connections within the TISC network. By the end of 2024, 90 percent of TISC staff had successfully completed WIPO’s General Course on Intellectual Property (DL-101), and 10 to 15 percent had also completed the advanced courses on patents and patent information search (DL-301 and DL-318).
In Kazakhstan, over 50 seminars, workshops and webinars were held in 2024, training more than 150 participants in patent search techniques, patent filing, and IP commercialization strategies. Additionally, 28 TISC staff members completed WIPO distance learning courses, enhancing human-resource capacity across the network.
Kazakhstan also hosted two regional meetings for TISCs and techno-parks, reinforcing cooperation and networking across the region. Furthermore, four TISC coordinators participated in government-led educational programs in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, strengthening cross-border collaboration and knowledge-sharing in Central Asia.
In Kenya, newly established and prospective TISCs received targeted training to equip them with the knowledge and tools needed to effectively support local innovators in navigating the IP system.
In the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, the first TISC training on patent information and patent searches was held in March in Vientiane, alongside the WIPO-ASEAN Regional TISC Network Meeting hosted by the Department of Intellectual Property, as the focal point of the national TISC network. To support TISC staff in enhancing their IP knowledge and patent search skills, selected TISC learning resources were also translated into Lao and made accessible to them.
In Lesotho, the Registrar General’s Office, the focal point of the national TISC network, conducted field visits to each TISC host institution to assess their training needs and assist in developing customized training plans aimed at strengthening their capacity to deliver innovation support services.
In Madagascar, the Scientific and Technical Documentation and Information Centre, as the focal point of the TISC network, organized numerous awareness-raising events and training sessions on patent information and patent searches, reaching over 200 participants. Additionally, eight TISC staff members participated in the pilot run of the WIPO TISC Staff Foundation Certification program. All successfully completed the course and passed the final exam, earning the designation of “Certified TISC Staff.”
In Malaysia, a series of training and outreach initiatives were organized for TISCs and their users. The focus was principally on IP management, commercialization and IP valuation.
In Morocco, 782 members of the TISC network participated in advanced distance learning courses offered by the WIPO Academy to enhance their knowledge and skills. Over half of them completed advanced courses on patents, patent drafting and patent information search. The Moroccan Industrial and Commercial Property Office, the network’s focal point, also organized several knowledge- and experience-sharing activities for TISC coordinators.
Four TISCs in Morocco joined the European Patent Office “Knowledge Transfer to Africa” initiative, which aims to foster collaboration between patent information (PATLIB) centers and African universities. As part of this initiative, the Université Sultan Moulay Slimane signed a twinning agreement with the Université de Mons in Belgium, aimed at exchanging best practices in technology transfer.
In Pakistan, the Intellectual Property Office, as the national TISC focal point, organized over 45 capacity-building sessions in collaboration with TISCs for researchers and startups across these institutions.
In Palestine, the Intellectual Property Department of the Ministry of National Economy, as the focal point of the TISC network, provided training to TISC staff on search tools and technology analysis, and organized two public workshops on IP and technology.
As the national focal point for the TISC network in the Philippines, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) remains committed to enhancing the capabilities of TISC staff to deliver high-quality IP services. In 2024, IPOPHL conducted 51 capacity-building activities focused on patent searches, patent drafting, IP commercialization and technology transfer. Additionally, 81 TISC staff enrolled in WIPO Academy distance learning courses, completing a total of 112 courses. TISCs also organized 919 IP awareness activities, 207 patent search trainings, 125 patent drafting trainings, and produced 1,450 patent search reports.
In Saudi Arabia, a new program was launched to enhance the TISC network’s sustainability, improve TISC performance and support knowledge transfer. In 2024, the “Nomo program” delivered 38 hours of training to 986 trainees, helping to upskill local IP professionals. A partnership with King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals also created new opportunities to strengthen TISC knowledge and capacities in IP fundamentals, IP valuation and IP commercialization, with 60 hours of training provided to more than 90 trainees.
In Sri Lanka, of the 28 TISCs established, a few stand out for their active role in promoting innovation and IP awareness. These centers regularly organize events, offer technical assistance and provide training to support inventors. In 2024, TISCs at the Sri Lanka Inventors Commission, the National Science Foundation, the National Innovation Agency and the universities of Kelaniya, Moratuwa and Jaffna reported conducting 62 IP awareness programs, supporting 17 patent applications and carrying out over 70 prior art searches.
In Tajikistan, the National Center for Patents and Information, the focal point of the TISC network, conducted 48 IP awareness-raising and capacity-building activities, reaching over 7,000 participants. TISC staff also continued to enhance their knowledge and skills to ensure high-quality services.
In Ukraine, TISCs actively promoted IP and innovation by organizing or participating in more than 180 events, including workshops, forums and innovation competitions, with average attendance ranging from 35 to 60 participants. Efforts to raise awareness of TISC services and IP were further enhanced through expanded social media outreach.
Additionally, TISCs in Ukraine held over 100 working meetings with companies, public organizations and international partners to advance joint programs, scale innovations and develop shared IP-related resources. Promotion of WIPO’s Access to Specialized Patent Information (ASPI) and Access to Research for Development and Innovation (ARDI) programs was also a key focus.
In Viet Nam, several training and capacity-building activities were organized to enhance the skills of TISC staff, researchers and entrepreneurs. These included two workshops on patent protection and patent information searching, and one workshop on research commercialization. In total, these activities reached over 550 participants. Additionally, two study tours were arranged for TISC staff: one to South Korea on IP management and another to China on innovation and IP protection.
Regional initiatives scale up worldwide impact and reach
Regional cooperation has been important in strengthening national TISC networks and increasing their impact and reach. Initiatives facilitating the exchange of experiences and best practices to help TISC networks become more efficient and deliver targeted services have continued to flourish globally. Regional TISC networks have been formally established in Africa, the Arab region, Asia and the Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean.
In Africa, TISC network focal points from member states of ARIPO met in Harare, Zimbabwe, in June 2024, to discuss and share experiences in the effective management of their TISC networks, promote the effective integration of TISC networks into national innovation ecosystems and foster regional cooperation through the further development of the ARIPO Regional TISC Action Plan.
In the Arab region, WIPO coordinates a regional TISC network in collaboration with the League of Arab States across 12 jurisdictions: Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the Syrian Arab Republic and Tunisia. TISC focal points engage at a regional level to exchange experiences and offer mutual support in project management and capacity building. In 2024, over 20 TISC representatives from the region participated in a virtual meeting organized by the league in October to share experiences in the development of their networks.
In Latin America and the Caribbean, a regional meeting was held in May in San José, Costa Rica, as part of WIPO’s project aimed at creating a model institutional IP policy for universities and research and development institutions in the CATI-CARD regional TISC network. The main objectives of the meeting were to exchange information on the progress of the project, to showcase a preliminary model of a regional IP policy and to provide specialized training on IP management for TISCs in universities. The meeting provided an excellent opportunity to advance the project and to strengthen the TISC network in the region.
In November, CATI-CARD members further met online to provide comprehensive feedback on the first complete draft of the regional IP policy model which will be officially delivered in 2025.
In Southeast Asia, representatives from national TISC networks of ASEAN member states met in Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic, in March 2024 to strengthen the development of the ASEAN Regional TISC Network and foster an exchange of experiences and best practices in developing effective and sustainable TISC networks.
The main focus of the meeting was on how to select, build and maintain the engagement of TISC host institutions. Attendees also discussed opportunities for cooperation activities within the region, including a joint program between Malaysia and Indonesia to strengthen cross-border IP protection and commercialization, and facilitate market access of goods and services from both countries. Opportunities to align TISC activities with the ASEAN IP Rights Action Plan were also further explored, leading to a breakthrough in discussions to establish a governance mechanism for TISC activities within ASEAN.
WIPO Regional Meeting on Strengthening the ASEAN Regional TISC Network, Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, March 21–22, 2024. Photo: WIPOIn Central Asia, while no formal regional network has been established, national TISC networks meet annually to share experiences and best practices. TISC focal points and host institution representatives met in December in Astana, Kazakhstan, to discuss opportunities for regional collaboration to build sustainable TISC networks in the region. For the first time, techno-parks also participated in the dialogue. Their involvement opens new avenues for collaboration in the region, ensuring that TISC innovation support services seamlessly integrate with techno-park activities, creating a vibrant, interconnected innovation ecosystem that supports local researchers, inventors and entrepreneurs from idea to market.