IP Awareness Program Organized at Guru Nanak Institutions Technical Campus (GNITC), Hyderabad, under MSME Innovation Schemes

Hyderabad, March 22, 2025 – An Intellectual Property (IP) Awareness Program was successfully conducted at Guru Nanak Institutions Technical Campus (GNITC), Hyderabad, under the IPR components of the MSME Innovation Scheme, funded by the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India.

The event, which began at 10:00 a.m., saw enthusiastic participation from students, research scholars, faculty members, doctors, SMEs, startups, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals. The primary objective was to raise awareness about the importance of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and its role in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.

Dr. H. S. Saini, Managing Director of GNI and Vice Chancellor of Guru Nanak University, addressed the gathering and emphasized the substantial benefits of such awareness programs. He encouraged participants to recognize the value of IP rights and actively protect their intellectual assets. Dr. Saini highlighted that knowledge of IP laws offers a strategic advantage in the ever-evolving innovation landscape, stressing the pivotal role of innovation in economic growth and urging young minds to proactively protect their ideas through legal means.

Sardar Gagandeep Singh Kohli, Vice Chairman of Guru Nanak Institutions (GNI) and Chancellor of Guru Nanak University, further motivated the attendees to convert their ideas into tangible prototypes and secure IP rights for commercialization. He specifically encouraged faculty members, research scholars, MSMEs, and entrepreneurs to engage in meaningful research, ensuring that their innovations contribute to societal and industrial progress through proper IP protection. He also explained how IPR can lead to new business ventures and increase competitiveness in the global market.

Dr. S. Sreenatha Reddy, Director of GNITC, welcomed the participants and resource persons, elaborating on the critical role of IPR in national development. He discussed how intellectual property could enhance India’s standing in the global innovation ecosystem and underscored the need for educational institutions to create an environment where IP is valued and safeguarded.

Dr. Rishi Sayal, Associate Director of GNITC, congratulated the participants for their involvement in the event, highlighting GNITC’s active role in organizing such initiatives. He emphasized that these events contribute to bridging the gap between academia and industry through informative sessions like this.

Mr. Jaspreet Singh, Co-founder of IPQUAD, Faridabad, Haryana, delivered an insightful lecture on “The Foundation of Intellectual Property Rights: Basics and Beyond.” He provided valuable insights into the copyright registration process, its validity, and its scope, concluding with an interactive Q&A session. His presentation focused on how copyright laws protect creative works and provide economic benefits to creators and businesses.

Mr. V. Rajesh, an IPR professional from Bizrights, Hyderabad, spoke on “Building a Strong Brand: Creating, Managing, and Protecting It with Trademarks.” He explained the trademark registration process, highlighting its importance in differentiating businesses in a competitive market and legally safeguarding brand identity.

Mr. Aditya Saha, also an IPR professional from Bizrights, Hyderabad, addressed the topic, “Idea to Innovation: Creating, Prototyping, and Managing Patents for Business Success.” He detailed the process from ideation and prototyping to patent filing and commercialization, emphasizing how patents protect technological advancements and foster business growth by granting exclusive rights over innovations.

Dr. S. V. Ranganayakulu, Dean of R&D at GNITC, provided an insightful overview of IPR through various case studies. He explained the common reasons for patent rejections and outlined effective strategies to overcome these challenges, stressing the importance of thorough research and proper documentation during patent filing.

Mr. G. S. Bist, Assistant Director of MSME-DI, Hyderabad, discussed IP strategies for startups and MSME innovation schemes. He elaborated on various funding schemes available for students, entrepreneurs, and startups, and highlighted the benefits of IPR components for startups. He encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs to leverage government schemes for financial assistance and technical support.

The event also included interactive sessions where participants engaged with speakers to clarify doubts regarding intellectual property rights. Several case studies of successful patents, trademarks, and copyrights were shared, providing participants with practical insights into the subject.

The program concluded with Dr. S. V. Ranganayakulu appreciating the efforts of his team in making the event a success. He acknowledged the contributions of Dr. K. S. Chandragupta Mauryan and Dr. Md Rashid Mahmood, coordinators of the program, as well as Dr. Vikas Maheshwari and Dr. P. Gomathi, co-coordinators. He also recognized the hard work of student volunteers who played a crucial role in organizing the event.

The IP Awareness Program offered valuable insights into patent filing, trademarks, copyrights, and other essential aspects of intellectual property. Through expert sessions and case studies, the event equipped participants with the knowledge required to navigate the patenting process and leverage IP rights for economic and technological growth.

The session concluded at 4:00 p.m., marking the end of a highly informative and engaging day. This initiative represents a significant step toward empowering innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs to protect their intellectual contributions, thereby strengthening India’s position in the global knowledge economy.