On October 1, the State Agency on Intellectual Property (AGEPI), together with the EU Project “Support to Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights” in the Republic of Moldova, organized a round table entitled “Current Trends in Teaching Intellectual Property in Higher Education Institutions of the Republic of Moldova”. The purpose of the workshop was to increase the level of information of representatives of universities offering or intending to offer intellectual property courses, management of intellectual property, management of innovation for future lawyers, specialists in art, agriculture, medicine, technical, economic sciences, etc.

The event was attended by experts from the EU Project, AGEPI specialists and representatives of the higher education institutions of the Republic of Moldova.

In the opening of the event, AGEPI Director General Lilia Bolocan stressed the role of intellectual property as a fundamental tool in creating an environment conducive to innovation, creativity and free competition for the economic, social and cultural development of the Republic of Moldova. Lilia Bolocan also referred to training in the field of intellectual property provided by AGEPI.

Iurii Kapitza, key expert in the EU Project, said that during his mission, experts have been able to visit several universities in the country, analyze the quality of trainings in the field of intellectual property rights (IPRs) and propose skills improving tools. “In a world in continuous digital transformation, we must promptly respond to the challenge of creating and enforcing mechanisms for the protection of intellectual property. And today’s event is a timely platform to discuss current issues in the field of IPRs, including those related to studying this area in higher education institutions,” said the expert. Iurii Kapitza also said that the EU Project aimed to give new impetus to studying IPRs in universities. Therefore, collaborations with three university lecturers have been established for the development curricula on teaching IPRs in the law, engineering and natural sciences departments. As a result, young specialists will gain knowledge and skills to apply the legislation for both prevention of IPRs infringement and restoration and protection of this right.

The participants then addressed a range of subjects related to the teaching of intellectual property for lawyers and for students who pursue their bachelor/master/doctoral studies in the field of technical sciences and natural sciences. There were also discussed current questions on the teaching of intellectual property management in universities. Finally, there was a general discussion of what contains a course in intellectual property rights for students of different specialties, and also what practical activities should be delivered to students in the course in intellectual property rights.

The Technical Assistance Project “Support to Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights” is funded by the European Union and will be completed in November 2018.