The Pangasinan State University – Asingan Campus (PSU-AC) hosted an IP Caravan: IP Awareness and Understanding, aimed at promoting innovation and increasing intellectual property awareness among faculty members and students, headed by Dr. Rosario DL. Valencerina, the Campus Executive Director, at the PSU-AC library, May 10.
The IP Caravan had a strong focus on educating attendees about intellectual property rights, as well as promoting entrepreneurship and protecting the rights of small business owners. The event’s objectives were to increase awareness, encourage research, and promote innovation among faculty members and students.
Dr. Valencerina stressed the crucial role of research and innovation in achieving academic excellence and encouraged faculty members to pursue research projects. “Research and innovation are essential for academic excellence,” she emphasized. “I encourage faculty members to conduct research projects and pursue innovation to contribute to the development of our university.”
Dr. Rodelio Garin, the Research Coordinator, provided a sobering insight into the state of intellectual property in the Philippines. He also shared some eye-opening statistics, highlighting the challenges that the country is facing in terms of patent application and innovation. On the other hand, Mr. Marco S. Mores, Science Research Assistant under the DOST-RAISE Project, focused on the objectives of the IP Caravan, emphasizing the importance of intellectual property protection, entrepreneurship, education of small entrepreneurs about their rights, and awareness to promote innovation. He encouraged the attendees to make the most of their minds, stating that it is their best asset in the pursuit of innovation.
Dr. Jeff G. Pereyras, the Director of PSU-ITSO, delivered an informative presentation that emphasized the essential role of patents in safeguarding new inventions. He discussed how patents provide protection for up to 20 years, covering utility models such as logos and taglines. In addition, he delved into other areas of intellectual property rights, such as trademarks, geographical indications, trade secrets, and the IP Code Amendment. Dr. Pereyras also discussed ethical concerns such as plagiarism and shared practical tips on how to avoid it. He also provided visual aids, such as schematic diagrams and sample innovation outputs, to enhance the attendees’ understanding of the topic.
The attendees had also the opportunity to ask the speaker for their questions and engage in an open forum. Many expressed their appreciation for the knowledge gained and emphasized the importance of protecting intellectual property rights. Some asked for more clarification on certain topics, such as the process of patent application and the role of intellectual property in the business industry. The speakers answered these questions with expertise and provided valuable insights to the audience.
The IP Caravan was successful in promoting innovation and providing a platform for exchanging ideas and insights. It is evident that the event served its purpose in educating and encouraging both faculty members and students to be more mindful of intellectual property rights and to pursue research and innovation.