IIT, MS launches intellectual property CoE

KHARAGPUR, INDIA: The Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, in association with Microsoft India, have launched the 'Microsoft Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Property Research and Technology Policy' (MSCIP).

One of the primary components of the programs is the ‘Microsoft Intellectual Property Scholar Program’ (MSP) that will provide scholarships to students in recognition of their academic excellence and encourage the establishment of a knowledge bank in the area of IP.

The program will also offer Outstanding Faculty Fellowships which are aimed at enhancing the teaching mission by exposing both faculty and students to the latest research, which could be integrated into the practice of intellectual property.

The program will also help create a repository of publications and IP Policy toolkits for Government Agencies and regulators. The other key elements components are Certificate Courses on IP law and Management for industry, academia and government; as well as seminars and workshops for policy makers that will consist of initiating dialogue between members of the industry, academia, faculty members and other stakeholders to discuss current issues on IP that impact the industry and the economy. The centre will also aim to expose both faculty and students to the latest research and create a repository of publications for government agencies and regulators.

Professor P P Chakrabarti, Dean, IIT Kharagpur said, “Effective innovation and IP creation are key drivers for the Indian industry’s value generation. For a sustained economic benefit it is very important to increase India’s share with regard to software products."

"Having pioneered India’s upsurge in science and technology education, this partnership with Microsoft to set up MSCIP takes forward our commitment in field of technological legal education,” added Chakrabarti.

“If India has to achieve the status of a truly knowledge based economy, fostering innovation and creating a strong IPR environment is critical. This partnership takes forward the commitment of fuelling continuous innovation, which, we hope, will culminate into a flourishing local software industry,” said Rakesh Bakshi, associate general counsel, Microsoft India.